The Principal of Good Shepherd Catholic Boys’ Secondary School, Oyede, Rev. Fr. Jude U. Sagbadje has advised the 2013 graduating students to be good ambassadors of the school.

Rev. Fr. Jude U. Sagbadje Principal of Good Shepherd Catholic Boys’ Secondary School, Oyede reading his address

Speaking recently at the graduation ceremony for the 2012/2013 session, the principal implore the 32 graduating students not to tarnish the image of the school founded in 2000.

In his words, “On September 17, 2007, a group of 53 young children who had been offered admission came into this premise to begin their academic sojourn in Good Shepherd Catholic Boys Secondary, Oyede. In the course of the six years, some left and others joined them. Of the original class of 53 students, 21 of them are graduating today together with 13 others who joined them. I offer my sincere congratulations to this group of 21 students. Together they have faced the rigours of academic life and formation characteristic of Catholic boarding schools. And have run the race to the finish. We are saying farewell to this group of boys who are on the threshold of becoming young men today.”

“We have come here today to celebrate them for persevering and running their race to the finish while awaiting the crown of academic excellence reserved for those who have worked hard. Completing secondary education is a significant milestone for anyone in spite of the fact that a senior school certificate cannot get one job as it did thirty or twenty five years ago. But we can all agree that a good secondary school education can provide the basic foundation which everyone needs for life.” he said.

According to the principal, “My dear Graduands, during the years spent in this school, we have attempted to teach and form you within the limits of our human abilities and available resources. With the help of God, we hope that much of what we have taught you will stay with you in the years ahead. Reflect on all that we have attempted to impress on you in the course of your stay here bearing in mind the wisdom offered by Aristotle the Greek Philosopher that “The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet”. We recognise that your time here has been a time of planting, watering and maturing. We do not immediately expect to see the fruits of what we have done sown. You are still very young but we are convinced that have we have sown would bring forth good fruits in the vast majority of you knowing as plato another Greek Philosopher remarked that “The direction in which education starts man will determine his future life”.

He also said, “Between now and when you proceed to the university, I encourage you to spend your time meaningfully, gratefully and resourcefully. Time and tide waits for no one. Any day that passes un-utilized cannot never be recovered. Keep your eyes focused on your goals in life. as Fr Cletus Enwefah our commencement Speaker has reminded you: a great future awaits you. But it is not going to come on a platter of gold; it would come through tireless hard work. You must make consistent effort to build on the culture of hard work which we have attempted to cultivate in you. That is what will see you through your university years. Do not get carried away by the euphoria of having completed secondary school. This is just the beginning of another phase of your life. As John Dewey, the famous American philosopher, psychologist and educator aptly noted: “Education is not preparation for life; it is life itself.”

Rev. Fr. Sagbodje also said, “As you await your school certificate results, we can only wish you well. The ball has since left our court. We can only hope, that like your predecessor, you would do us proud by the time your school certificate results are released. I congratulation the parents of the graduating students for seeing them to the end of their secondary education. It is your primary responsibility to educate your children. As a school, we have shared in that responsibility of yours and you have done what is expected of you. May the Lord help each and every one of you to continue to carry out that obligation in the next phase of their lives.”

“This is also the end of 2012/2013 academic year. As I sat down to write my column for the school magazine, I tried to ask myself how I feel and what I think about the year that is about to end. I feel happy and I think that we have done well as a school and therefore my heart is only filled with sentiments of gratitude to God for everything that has taken place this year. As a school, we must stay on a steady course and keep working together to build on the modest achievements which we have recorded during the past few years. Only the sky can truly be our limit.”

According to him, “Today’s celebration is also an opportunity to show a gesture of appreciation and encouragement to some members of this community. Of significant mention are two members of staff: Miss Theresa Adidi the school Secretary, Mrs rosemary Oride-afore, one of our catering staff, for ten years of dedicated service to GoodShepherdCatholicSchool.”

The outgoing senior prefect, Magege Ogaga said that “The journey of six years was not all easy. It was an eye opener, full of surprise, disappointments, joys and most of all, achievements. We started our secondary education in this school with fifty three scouts aspiring to be soldiers. We are now only thirty two who have been transformed into soldiers. I am indeed very proud to be among these soldiers.”

“I remember how some of us cried upon our parting from our parents when we were in JSS I. I remembered vividly how we were flogged on the second day of resumption in JSS I for not laying our beds and cleaning our hostels. However, that discipline had molded us into better persons today. I am proud to say, we have no regrets for studying in this noble institution,” he stated.

The senior prefect added that “In a special way, I wish to thank all my classmates for co-operating during our course of stay in this school. It was by God’s grace and our hard work and prayers that we have reached this day. I advise you to continue in this way and assure you, you will succeed in life. Continue to strive hard as you go into the world, be good ambassadors of this school, change the lives of others with what you have learnt from this school and most especially be God-fearing and be yourself.”

He also said; “There were many things Father said during our last days in this school. I term those days as “frustration for success”. Father was never satisfied with most of the things we did. However, I asked him why he was like that. He replied me, and said “in an increasing globalized world, the only way of rising above mediocrity is never being satisfied about your effort but always striving to be better”. My dear classmates, always remember Father’s words and continue to work hard.

Also speaking, the chairman of the PTA, Comrade Moses E. Egoma (JP) said “It is with deep joy that I am here to address you all on the auspicious occasion of School Graduation and Giving out of Prizes/Awards to deserving persons within the school community. Indeed, I welcome you all because your absence would have made the celebration incomplete and unfashionable. Firstly, I want to thank God with immeasurable appreciation for His divine enablement for being part of this unique celebration.”

According to him, “In life, anything with a humble beginning must of necessitcome to an eventual end hence the little boys that came in here some few years back can now be referred to as graduands today. This dove tales into the axiomatic saying that patience is golden and with patience all would be well. I congratulate all the grown up boys who have passed through the tutelage of GSCBSO. To the Awardees: be guided by the fact that to whom much is given, much is expected. The Prizes and Awards are indications of excellence which must be preserved and sustained. Keep striving to excel the more because more awards and prizes would come your way with uncompromising hard-work and dedication anchored in the fear of God. No one is a failure until such a one stops trying. Your desire for excellence should remain unquenchable in all ramifications.”

Comrade Egoma enjoined the graduands to keep trying to excel the more, adding that, “the feat you have attained today is just the beginning of many more things. In few years time, we look forward to seeing you well groomed professionals” just as he implored the awardees to persevere to scale through numerous hurdles of life so as to endlessly and continuously get recognition. Be mindful that nothing good comes easy and be well positioned to face it as such.”

“To the School Authority, continue in your chosen path of well doing because you will surely be rewarded by man and God. When the roll of excellent schools would be called, may your name feature prominently and your achievement be written on the sand of time indelibly and to the Parents/Guardians, our pockets may be experiencing stress occasioned by the painful funding of our children’s education in the face of harsh economic climate. But be reminded that life in itself is a relay race. We must finish and have people with vision on mission to hand over to hence today’s sacrifice. As we bear the pain of nurturing them today, unquantifiable benefits await us all if we remain focused and undaunted,” he said.