July 1, 2024
A former governor of Cross river State, Donald Duke has urged graduating students of Corona Secondary School (CSS), Agbara, to always remember home even as they embark on further studies abroad.
Duke amongst other dignitaries at the Class of 2024 Graduation and Valedictory ceremony held for the students charged them to be good ambassadors and role models as they leave the institution for further education and wherever they find themselves.
Duke who was the Guest Speaker and Special Guest of Honour at the event over the weekend, themed: ‘Beyond the Horizon, leaving a legacy’ also outlined the pivotal role investment in education play in molding and shaping the society and nation as a whole.
He encouraged the graduands to go and conquer the world. “Go there, the entire world is your playing ground, every child has the right to Education”, he said.
Duke appealed to them to trust Nigeria as a country, while asking them to try to return back to Nigeria after their advanced and leadership studies.
The former governor emphasised the need to never have the mind of staying outside the shores of Nigeria rather, but come back and exploit innovative and drastic changes to our communities, local governments, states and constituencies to perfect all our abnormalities and make us better!
“What I have seen is today is the audaciousness that has been imparted in you all, you can hold your own anywhere in the world”.
“Please try and come back, we need your greatness here”.
Duke added that the purpose of education is to be productive. He noted that 50% of Nigerian education is of confidence, while the remaining 50 percent is content.
“You have 50% education with confidence and content with adversity”.
“Right from primary to tertiary education, the only thing that can bring respect to Nigeria in the comity of nations is when we embrace production. Producing is a thing of pride that must never stop,” he told the students.
He charged the students to conceptualise something that can solve problems, bring out a service in a good environment.
“Do not be afraid, be bold, forget the frustration, forge ahead and put on confidence which is the instrument to achieve success and great legacy.
