King’s College Principal Admonishes Students on Core Values

Funmi Ogundare

The acting Principal, King’s College, Lagos, Mrs. Elizabeth Ibezim, has urged new students of the college to stay focused by eschewing anything that would distract them from the college’s core values and their studies, just as the college matriculated a total of 300 students.

She advised them to make decisions as encouraged by their parents’ admonitions and that their admission into the college is an indication that they have made a choice to face life through acquisition of knowledge, skills and development of their innate potential.

Speaking at the 2017/2018 matriculation ceremony recently, she admonished them to submit to constituted authority and routine of the college, guided by rules and regulations.

“You must realise that your parents have supported you in making the best decisions in the process of acquiring secondary education. While they struggle to sustain you here, your duty is to make them proud.”

She described the school as a leveller, saying that life after school defines obvious lines of personalities depending on one’s achievement in the business of self development and education.

“Do not create the circumstance for future blame game. You are entirely responsible for your eventual personality. The defining moment is now.”

Ibezim listed some of the college’s core values to include truth, honesty, obedience, patriotism, integrity and chivalry, saying that the college like any other, holds no promise of paradise but an environment for them to reach their potential.

She told them to be prepared to pay a price for burning desires and be determined enough to endure pain and pay the price for achievement.

“Nurture your minds with great thoughts for you will never go higher than you think. The majority see the obstacles, the few see the objectives. Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goals. There will be discouragers and doubters who can’t see beyond the first obstacles. They are your enemies, avoid them.”

The Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu congratulated the staff and students of the college, saying that the ministry is working to enhance the quality of teachers and their training in the country.

Adamu, who was represented by the Special Assistant, Political to the Minister of State for Education, Sir. Frank Ibezim, described unity colleges as veritable, while calling on critical stakeholders, especially old boys to continue to render support services towards the schools’ development.

He urged the students to listen to their teachers while they excel in character and learning.
The guest speaker and President King’s College Old Boys Association (KCOBA), Alhaji Kashima Ibrahim Imam recalled his days as a student in the college, while commending the management for its efforts.

He admonished the students to learn and memorise the college’s anthem saying, “only by obedience may you learn to rule, if you fail, look closely, seek the reason why. You have power to conquer if you only try. Others went before you and attained the height, where they wait to cheer you, victors in the fight.”

The former Principal of the college, Chief Oladele Olapeju expressed delight that the students have been brought up to be kingsmen and also expressed hope that the orientation that they have been given would sink into them.
While congratulating the matriculating students, he said parents must also be ready to contribute to funding and developing the college.