The Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta International School (FUNIS) recently held its 7th Valedictory/11th Speech Day and Prize-giving Ceremony to mark the End-of-the-Year, 2015/2016 Academic Session, as a total of 56 pupils of the FUNAAB Staff School also graduated during the 2015/2016 Graduation and Prize-giving Ceremony. Welcoming guests to the occasion, the Principal of FUNIS, Mrs. Toyin Juba, appreciated the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Oyewole and the University Management for their unending support and determination to move the school forward.
She also acknowledged the contributions of the Chairman of FUNIS Board, Chief Olukayode Akindele towards its overall development as well as the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) for effecting repairs in the school and for building a befitting examination hall. The Principal added that the good results recorded in external examinations – National Examination Council (NECO) and West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) – were due to the joint efforts by all members of staff of the school. Mrs. Juba said further that the year, under review, had brought about the exit of a beautiful set of students; the “Prestigious Stellars’’, who had been charged to stand tall among their peers by becoming a source of pride to the school.
The Chairman of the occasion, Engineer (Chief) Tajudeen, had congratulated the graduating students, as he appealed to them to live good lives and have the fear of God. He implored them not to be carried away with the flamboyant things of the world because “not all that glitters are gold’’, while the guest speaker of the day was the former Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who disclosed that FUNAAB remained the most peaceful campus in Ogun State, as he urged other institutions of higher learning to emulate FUNAAB. He advised the students to avoid venturing into illegal activities such as Internet fraud. Rather, they should use their brains to assist the nation because the government was ever appreciative of the role of students in re-engineering the nation’s economy. DSP Adejobi appealed to the students to be good ambassadors of their families and the school. He implored them to be agents of change that the nation was eagerly yearning for and never forget to pray, shun cultism and other evil vices.
While delivering the Commencement Lecture, Mr. Temitayo Olalekan, an alumnus of FUNIS and a graduate of the Department of Anatomy, Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, stated that self-encouragement goes a long way in making a student to be successful. He, therefore, charged the students to discover what would best work for them, always believe in themselves and pay due attention to their local languages. Highlights of the events include giving of prizes to the best student in this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, Miss Oluwapelumi Ojo, who scored 321 marks; the best graduating student in the 2015/2016 Academic Year, Mr. Olabanji Olawale; as well as the best students from the various classes and in the different subjects in the school.
Speaking at the FUNAAB Staff School, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Oyewole congratulated the graduating students for successfully completing the first step in the ladder of their academic pursuit while admonishing them to remain focused and work hard, to succeed in life. Professor Oyewole, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Professor Catherine Eromosele, extolled the qualities of the teachers and staff of the school for the discipline instilled in the students and their dedication to duty, as he called on parents and students to take advantage of the quality education being provided by the school to give their wards the best. He disclosed that some old students of the school, who bagged first class honours degrees in various citadels of learning, were doing very well in their chosen careers. The Head-teacher, Mrs. Florence Alade, assured the students that the school had given them the right foundation and platform needed to excel in life, as she urged them to always aspire to be the best wherever they find themselves by being good ambassadors of their alma mater. She noted that the school was committed to producing future leaders that would bring about development in the country.
The Chairman of the Day, Professor Jimoh Olanite, of the Department of Pasture and Range Management, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production (COLANIM), stated that the school had stood the test of time and was established for the purposes of nurturing and moulding young minds, to be future leaders. He commended parents and teachers for their labour and show of love over the students, praying that their joy over the children would be full. The Special Guest of Honour, Dr. Petra Abdulsalam-Saghir, of the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, College of Agricultural Management and Rural Development (COLAMRUD), encouraged the pupils to be focused and always take their studies seriously. Meanwhile, testimonials and gifts were presented to outstanding students at the event.