By Abdul-Mumin Abdul-Quadir
Prioritize skills and real learning over certificates – YABATECH Rector
Face life challenges with resilience: School Director
Fuad Erinfolami, a senior secondary school two student of Al-Hikmat College, Agege, Lagos and President of Junior Engineers Technician and Scientists (JETS) Club in the school has launched his project; a robot that sows, waters plants and helps with some other farm activities.
He showcased his project before everyone who attended the graduation ceremony of the school on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at Diekola Abanikanda Memorial Event Centre in Agege, Lagos.
The machine, which he controlled through his mobile tablet, will help farmers produce food on a large scale, tackle the problem of food shortage and fast track economic growth in Nigeria and across Africa.
It is one of many initiatives borne out of the critical thinking and problem-solving skills that Al-Hikmat College instills in its students.
Director of the school, Hajia Aminat Abdul-Kareem congratulated the 19 outgoing students and wished them astounding success in their respective endeavours.
She urged the outgoing students of the school to commit themselves to lifelong learning and face life challenges with resilience and optimism.
“Graduates, as you sit here today, you are at the threshold of a new chapter in your lives. The education you have received at Al-Hikmat Schools has equipped you with the knowledge, skills, Islamic morals and values necessary to navigate the complexities of the world. You have been prepared to face challenges with resilience, to seek opportunities with optimism, and to contribute positively to the society.”
She advised the graduating students to abide by the values already instilled in them by the school as they forge ahead in life.
Abdul-Samad Yusuf, the outgoing head boy appreciated the school for doing so much for them, while the head girl, Misturah Tijani encouraged her colleagues to break out of their comfort zones in search of greater opportunities.
The celebration also featured beautiful presentations from students, including ewi (Yoruba traditional poetry) and talk shows among others.
Wisdom runs in our blood – Alumni President Adeboye
Alumni President of the school, represented by an alumna, Engr Hamzah Sirajudeen asserted that as the name of the school implies, wisdom runs in the bloodstream of her products. He claimed that’s the reason Al-Hikmat products write the name of the school in golden ink wherever they go.
He mentioned products of the school who have done and are doing absolutely well including Aminah Yusuf (Best Graduating Student, Lagos State University 2021/2022 set) and Khadijah Mustapha Adam, also the Best Graduating Student, Taraba State University, among others.
He lauded the school for inculcating discipline through its Shari’ah Court that tempers justice with mercy.
Ms. Mustapha herself, who is now a financial analyst and was present to felicitate her almer mata affirmed that there’s no way she would write her success story without acknowledging Al-Hikmat.
She said: “I can’t write my success story without mentioning Al-Hikmat. This great College shaped me and instilled values like resilience, integrity, hardwork and spirituality.”
She added that being the Best Graduating Student has opened many doors for her.
Be good to your parents – Kukoyi
Guest speaker at the event, Mr Sherifdeen Kukoyi admonished the graduands to be good and dutiful to their parents as they forged ahead, noting that with prayers from parents ease every difficulty they face.
“Your efforts alone is not enough. You need God and the best way to get his pleasure is through goodness to your parents. When you make your parents happy and they pray for you wholeheartedly, God will ease your affairs.”
Prioritize skills and real learning over just certificates – Dr Abdul
Dr. (Engr) Ibrahim Adedotun Abdul, Rector of Yaba College of Technology, YABATECH, who was there to felicitate the children on their graduation urged the graduands to embrace lifelong learning and be conscious of the fact that they still have a long way to go.
He advised students in tertiary institutions and the youths in entirety to prioritize life-changing learning in the face of prowling economic crises.
He said: “I’ll advise them to prioritize skills and real learning over just acquisition of certificates. Over the years, people have prioritized the acquisition of certificates over real learning, skills and attitude. There’s a great difference between learning to know and learning just to make your way out of school. So, they should focus on the lifelong gains.”
He added that hardship is part of life, we all just have to employ the critical thinking and problem-solving approach and other coping mechanisms.
When asked about the August #endbadgovernanceprotest, he observed that everyone has the right to protest, if they want to.
He, however, submitted that it was necessary for every individual to ask themselves what they are doing to salvage the situation of the country.
“Protest or no protest, everyone has to play their own role. Yes! There’s a right to protest, but you have to be sure you’re not adding to the problem. Everyone has a role to play, so, putting all the blame on government alone is not the best.
“We all have to play our respective roles diligently and with time, we’ll be out of any situation in which we find ourselves. It’s about doing your bit and telling those in authority to do theirs as well”, he added.
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