By Rose Oranye
The Anambra State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Esther Onyekesi, has urged students to prioritise character over certificate, own their future and choose friends wisely, saying “grades may open doors but character keeps one there.”
The commissioner, who gave the advice at the maiden Independence Day celebration of Laphils International Academy, held on Wednesday, in Awka, said she was delighted to honour the invitation because children are central to her mandate, and counseled students to learn at least one skill outside their course of study to avoid cultism, drugs and get-rich-quick lifestyles, and to stay close to God and stay focused.
She commended the school’s proprietress and the management for complementing government efforts, noting that Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration appreciates private initiatives that advance education, adding: “Do not wait for government to do everything.”
Earlier in her welcome address, the school’s proprietress, Mrs Phina Mefor said the celebration was historic being the school’s first Independence Day celebration.
She said the theme of the celebration, “The Nigeria We Dream Of,” was chosen to remind scholars that a better tomorrow begins with a dream nurtured through education, good character, creativity, responsibility and service.
“Laphils International Academy is building with a clear purpose – to provide an environment where children learn with confidence, discover their abilities, and understand that leadership is about responsibility and service, not position,” she said, and urged scholars to know that they are not too young to dream about Nigeria or to make a difference through learning, kindness and doing the right thing
