Mrs Yetunde Idowu is an alumnus of St Gregory College, Ikoyi. But when she appeared at her alma mater last Tuesday for the school’s speech/prize-giving day, it was not merely to show off her achievements as an accomplished High Court judge but, as the guest speaker, she charged the students to emulate those sterling qualities which have seen so many like her attain the apogee of their various careers in life.
The occasion, held at the school’s new Jubilee Hall, was part of a week-long activities to celebrate St Gregory’s 85th anniversary.
Mrs Idowu’s talk tagged: Winning habits of successful people, was as inspiring as encouraging to the students that cheered almost endlessly.
She said to be successful, students must imbibe the habit of successful people.
She advised the students to be positive-thinkers.
She said: “Students, always be positive in your thinking; think success and not failure. Beware of negative environment, accomplish your goal, and never say ‘I can’t’.”
She encouraged them to decide on their dreams and goals, write them down and strive hard to achieve them. Goals without action, she stressed, are fruitless.
Mrs Idowu, also encouraged the students to have passion for their dreams.
“Have passion for your dream, it is a necessity. It is what makes people to take risk; it is much more important than a plan, it fuels your desire. As far as passion is there, it does not matter how many times you fall.”
She told them to draw inspiration from people who are goal-oriented and can, therefore, impact positively in their lives.
Idowu also admonished them to be time-managers.
“Be aware of how you spend your time, do not waste it watching television, surfing the internet, or hanging out with friends that can distract your focus.
“Practice all the time and never give up. You can make the necessary adjustment when you fail and move on, you should decide to make a difference in your life, she added.”
The presentation of prizes was another spectacle. Outstanding students of various subjects in 2012 went home with gifts and cash prizes.
Ojeanelo Micheal, Ezekafor Ekene, Momodu Chukwuemeka, Aworo Raymond, all students of the school, stole the show. Ojeanelo was adjudged the best student with the highest WASCCE and NECO results with five distinctions, and five credits and three distinctions and four credits respectively.
Ekene, who thanked guests on behalf of the school, also encouraged his colleagues to put more effort in their studies.
Earlier, the school administrator, Rev Edmond Akpala, said the future projections are to improve the present standard of the school while equally anticipating more outstanding performances in Junior Secondary Certificate Examinations (JSCE) and WASSCE.
He said the school just completed more modern infrastructures such as an ultra-modern block of classrooms, staff quarters, junior school staffroom, French language teachers’ room, college jubilee hall, and basketball court, among others.
