Earnest schools graduates 55 students …As 9 year old bags Humanitarian award

By Abdul-Mumin Abdul-Quadir

A journey of a thousand miles usually starts with a step, hence, for the 55 students of Earnest Schools, Ayobo Lagos, Sunday 28 July, marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new one.

It was the annual Graduation/Prize Giving Day Ceremony, with parents, teachers and well-wishers converging on Onos Event Centre, Ayobo, to celebrate the academic achievements of the graduating students.

The Director of the school, Mr. Ismail Ogunyomi, was highly optimistic that the students had attained an appreciable level of academic excellence and spiritual consciousness.

He said school business is not just business as usual at Earnest Schools, noting that “it is an opportunity to nurture little souls into adults that are responsible and conscious of their purpose on earth; service to Almighty.”

This consciousness, according to him, is what will make them better themselves, contribute meaningfully to national development and champion the cause of Islam.

Ogunyomi said that the school remains committed to all-round growth and development of its pupils and students.

He explained that the zeal to mould lives was what informed the establishment of the school in 2005, urging the graduands “to uphold the values inculcated in them at Earnest Schools till the end of time.”

Parents, guardians should combine spirituality with academics for their children – Elegbede

A Senior Lecturer at the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Biology, Lagos State University (LASU) Dr. Isa Elegbede, urged parents, guardians and care-givers to combine spiritual upbringing with conventional education for their children and wards.

Dr. Elegbede, who discussed ‘The Power of Education,’ at the event, said that integrating both forms of education will produce well-rounded individuals who excel academically and uphold strong ethical values.

He highlighted the challenges facing students to include academic pressure, peer and social media influence, bullying and lack of essential materials.

While proffering solutions to the challenges, he advised parents to explore the scholarship window, motivate children by celebrating their small wins and be open, be supportive as a family and help children manage their time.

He added that parents and guardians must ensure that they play their roles diligently, communicate regularly with teachers and participate in decision-making and strategy programmes organised by schools.

Emotions as 9 years old bags humanitarian award

The high point of the event was the presentation of prizes and certificates where nine years old Yasir Semilore Ogunyomi, one of the primary school graduands stole the show while being presented the Certificate of Appreciation for his humanitarian service.

He was awarded the certificate because he has exhibited a high level of selflessness by pushing his 14 years old physically-challenged sister on her wheelchair to and fro school every day since he was in Primary 2.

Shots of him taken unaware show that he carried out the action each day with a big smile on his face.

Young Yasir could not hold back tears as he was being presented with the award. His mum and others, who joined him on the stage, could not contain their emotions as well, tears flowed freely down their cheeks.

They were overwhelmed by the level of maturity and responsibility displayed by the young chap.

When Community Standard asked him about the action that got him the award, Yasir said, “I have been doing it since I was in Primary two and I won’t stop doing it.”

He added that he was not expecting any award.