Ronke Kehinde/
It was yet another day to wine and dine last Tuesday as Solomon Grace Nursery and Primary School in Abule Egba, Lagos, held its 22nd Valedictory.
But, the event was not just pomp and ceremonies. Life lessons were added as flavours, to make the lives of the school’s outgoing students remain sweet thereafter.
As the graduands filed in with the processional hymn, ‘I’m Pressing on the Upward Way,’ they looked regal and excited in their black suit, white shirt, lemon tie and gold cap.
Giving words of exhortation at the event, Pastor Edun Adebare urged the graduating students to be focused because life is sweet for men and women that are focused and have plans in life.
“Where there is no vision the people perish,” he said.
He asked parents to keep records of their achievement so that their children can learn from them. “Parents don’t leave home without praying for your children every morning. Make it a habit to lay your hands on them and prophesy greatness into their lives. Don’t let mobile phones and iPad distract them.”
The guest speaker, Engr. Abdulrahman Musa urged the outgoing pupils to never give up on themselves. “Parents should set great examples for their children. We must not impose profession on them.”
Mrs Ogunseye Grace, the school proprietress held a prayer session for the graduating students. She asked their parents to pray for them. She believed the school has prepared the outgoing pupils for the next phase of their lives.
“Know who you are and know what your values are,” she told them.
The head girl of the 2018 graduands, Oladipo Teleayomi, said in her speech, “I have learnt academics, etiquette, boldness and submissiveness. I have discovered myself and above all, I found God’s words on display in the hands of these great teachers. I have learnt that through diligence and hard work I can achieve much.”
Master Oluwadarasimi Raji, the Head Boy, promised to be a good ambassador of the school.
The atmosphere became changed when the students started singing a farewell song. Tears flowed freely on the faces of the outgoing students. And then the prefects handed over to their junior new prefects using candles to pass a message that they should keep the fire burning.
