PRINCIPAL’S SPEECH’s AT2023 VALEDICTORY SERVICE OF ILOKO MODEL COLLEGE, ILOKO IJESA ON SATURDAY 8TH JULY, 2023.
‘‘Today is your opportunity to build the tomorrow you want’’ Ken Poirot
I will like to thank God Almighty for giving us once again this privilege to witness the 19th valedictory service of our great school. In spite of myriads of challenges that starred us in the face, God remained as faithful as ever. His ‘‘Fear not, for I am with you’’ kept us strong, focused and purposeful. His untainted love, protection, direction and benevolence over the entire IMC family, especially the outgoing students, made today’s event a service of thanksgiving to appreciate this great and undiluted privilege. To Him alone be the Glory.
I wish to specially welcome our Royal Father, Alayeluwa Oba Dr. Akeem Olusayo Ogungbangbe Ajagbusi Ekun VI, Owaloko of Iloko Ijesa, the Proprietor / Custodian of our great school. Other kabiyesis, other royal fathers in attendance, distinguished Guests, parents, staff, students and other well wishers.
Today, we are rolling out the drums once again to celebrate our outgoing year 12 students who are rounding off their 6 years academic journey from our dear school. I congratulate you and your dear parents for this great feat. Right from that impressionistic age, we have nurtured, tutored, and mentored you with total commitment to your growth and development.
We indeed appreciate God for the young lovelies you have metamorphosed to. Every day’s lessons , termly examinations, external academic exposures, various interactions with fellow students and staff in sports, debate, Quiz, public speaking, drama, cultural displays, excursions among others have greatly impacted you in no small deal. The commitment of our teaching and non-teaching staff to your all round growth cannot be overemphasized.
To these wonderful hands and loving hearts, I extend my hands of gratitude. No doubt this citadel of learning, Iloko Model College has given every student here the value for every penny your dear parents expended on you during this academic sojourn.
Iloko Model College, Iloko Ijesa, remained a unique citadel of learning which has cut a nitch for herself as the only Community initiated Private school in Nigeria founded love, powered by passion, and meeting the dire needs of parents and children who desire quality and affordable education without tears. We are happy that from the onset, the school is waxing stronger and achieving her vision and purpose.
This outgoing set has shown great maturity in character and academics and it’s no gainsaying that you will blossom more in the future.
I am happy to celebrate with great joy the untainted success of one of the graduating students; Otokola Precious Oluwapamilerin who set a new UTME record in the school this year with a legitimate 314 scores. Many others got remarkable scores in their UTME that will fetch them their most preferred courses in their chosen universities. I say a big congratulations to you and your ever supportive parents Apart from academic attainments, all the students in this set are also graduating with various skills in entrepreneurship such as barbing, hairdressing, shoe making and fashion designing.
Big thanks to everyone who has contributed one way or the other to the beautiful picture we are celebrating today.
To my graduands, the euphoria of today’s achievement will be short-lived because another phase and chapter of your life is being opened today. And as you move from here remember that the society we live in now has greatly changed from what we used to know to the amazement of today’s adults.
The society we live in now is very porous so much that anything and everything is permissible. The changes have sadly touched every aspects of our lives.
This sporadic development has come to us with its attendant ills: erosion of morals, immoralities, hard drugs, insecurity, violence, get rich quick syndrome, and many more have become an humongous task for the 21st century parents.
This crazy parody is visible in all aspects of our lives. But you have been taught better. You have been taught to obey authority, to love others as yourself, be morally upright, appreciate and be grateful to those whose efforts have added value to your life, work hard with determination for success, believe in all that you do, be fair in your judgments, never giving up in all your pursuits and many more. As you move on with all these positive impacts, I therefore urge you to choose a positive route to navigate your destiny. When you carefully choose your path in life you will be able to avoid regrets in the future. Difficult times will help build resilience and persistence of course is the mother of invention. Don’t run away or circumvent process that will build you, and ensure you are well furnished with good virtues that help you face challenges life may possibly throw at you. Run away from every societal ills, eschew bad companions as they will dent your good orientation about life and leave you damaged. Be determined and dogged in following your passion with patience and give back to the society that birth you. The sky is the starting point for any dreamer, no matter how high your ambition is, I can assure you it’s achievable.
The world recently has witnessed and still witnessing innovative masterpieces, you will need to add your own and get registered in the golden book. To do this, you will doubles need focus. Fight distractions that will deny your getting to your promised land. Know what you want and concentrate on it, doing all it takes within lawful ambit to achieve it. The world is waiting for your difference.
Above all, remember, leadership goes with responsibility and character. Your character determines how far you will get to the very top, keep it clean, and ever attractive.
Toju iwa re, ore mi
Ola a maa si lo nile eni,
Ewa a si maa si lara eniyan,
Olowo oni n dotosi bo dola,
Okun lola, okun nigbi oro,
Gbogbo won lo n si lonile eni,
Sugbon iwa ni n ba ni de saree
Owo ko je nnkan kan fun ni,
Iwa lewa omo eniyan,
Bi o lowo bi o ko niwa n ko?
Ta ni je finu tan e ba sohun rere?
Ta bi ki o je obinrin rogbodo,
Ti o jinna siwa ti eda n fe,
Ta ni je fe o sile bi aya?
Ta bi ki o je onijibiti eniyan,
Bi o tile mo iwe amodaju;
Ta ni je gbe’se aje fun o se?
Toju iwa re ore mi,
Iwa ko si, eko degbe;
Gbogbo aye nii fe’ni to je rere.
I must not conclude this piece without a word of appreciation to our dear parents. I sincerely appreciate your love, support and investments on these children over the last six years. I am happy your labour is not in vain. I pray you will live very long to eat the fruits of this labour. It has been very challenging especially with the paucity of funds, but to God be the glory, we finally got here safely and joyfully. For the new journey these young ones will embark upon, may the good Lord who brought you this far, provide for all your needs as well.
Kabiyesi, our distinguished guests, the vision of school has remained on the track of success. We shall remain eternally grateful to the founder and Visioner of the school Oba Oladele Olashore CON and his family for this great legacy, and its sustenance for its impact on each parting set.
I appreciate the exceptional commitment and sacrifices of our scholarship providers; Mr. Wale Fasogbon, the Olashore International School Association, and Prince Dr. Thomas Ogungbangbe (CITA foundation). Today 5 of the outgoing students enjoyed full scholarship from their JS1 to SS3 without tears. May the good Lord reward your good and large hearts.
I heartily commends our Kabiyesi Alayeluwa Oba (Dr.) Akeem Olusayo Ogungbangbe and the members of the Iloko Traditional Council for their support and all efforts aimed at keeping the school on her lane of success and sustainability. May the Good Lord who has brought us this far, take us farther and higher in Jesus name.
IMC will continue to provide innovative education that will make her students stand out among their peers. Bringing your children here is providing them the necessary template where their destinies will be achieved and their dreams come through.
As I close this address, I will like to thank you all once again for coming, may you be blessed through the events of today, and may you get back to your various homes safe and sound.
Thank you and God bless you.
Kayode Ogunwale
School Principal.
