By Abdul-Mumin Abdul-Quadir and Nusaybah Alatishe
In a celebratory and convivial clime, families, friends and well-wishers from far and near came together over the weekend to celebrate their children and wards for completing their secondary school education at Vanguards Academy.
The 2024/2025 prize-giving and graduation ceremony was held on Saturday, August 9 2025, at the school field in Odosengolu, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, with a call on graduating students to resist moral decay and make success stories their driving force.
Muslim News gathered that the faith-based school – one of the best in Ogun State produced 91 new graduates (G91), making the total number of its graduated students from inception in 2002 to 1,183.
Among the latest graduates, seven completed the memorisation of the Noble Qur’an and 20 memorised the Forty Hadith of An-Nawawi, a popular compilation by Imam al-Nawawi, a jurist and hadith scholar.
The Hufadh (Qur’an memorisers) are Ojoele Abdullah, Olaonipekun Khalid, Jimoh Abdullah, Abdul wasii khubayb, Leshi Salman, Odusanwo Musab and Zafaran Habeeb, one of the children of Dr. Zafaran Adeniyi, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the School.
The graduation ceremony was chaired by Prince Saheed Lasisi, FCE, one of the dedicated parents.
Our Correspondents were reliably informed that out of 91 graduating students, 89 sat for 2025 UTME with Maryam Balogun securing the 356 mark, closely followed by Mubarak Ajibade with 353. The remaining others scored above 200.
The atmosphere was so trilling, electrifying and inspiring as stories of remarkable achievements of the graduands and indelible marks by its alumni in their respective journeys through life, filled the air.
Draw inspiration from the achievements of your predecessors – Principal
The principal of the School, Alhaji Nafiudeen Ajayi congratulated the graduating students and their families, urging them to make success stories, the driving force that spurs them to succeed.
He said: “Today is not just a ceremony. It’s a milestone – a reflection on the path you trode, a celebration of current achievements, and anticipation of the bright future that lies ahead of you. It’s a day to honour years of your academic rigour, spiritual growth, moral upbringing, and unwavering dedication.”
Speaking further, Alhaji Ajayi extolled the students for their virtues and excellent performance, which positioned the faith-based school as one of the best in Ogun State.
According to him, “The set of graduating students has been very wonderful from inception. We saw great potentials. Hence, we moulded and mentored them to bloom to the fullest. We kept them on their toes, and Alhamdulillahi, they didn’t fall short of expectations.
“I hereby implore them to let stories of their seniors like Zainab Ogunjimi, who emerged Best Graduating Student at College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), and Muadh AbdulLateef, who made a first-class abroad, among others push them to greatness.”
Alhaji Ajayi expressed confidence in the latest graduates, having been greatly nurtured at Vanguards: “Here, we did not only see to your academics, we also made it a point of duty to groom you spiritually, morally and to be physically fit. You’re changed persons now. You’re better than who you were when you came to Vanguards and I believe strongly you will excel in every path you choose in future. Deepest congratulations to the graduating set of 2025.
Shun moral decay, be ambassadors of goodness – Dr. Adeniyi
In his keynote address, Dr. Zafaran Adeniyi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the School rejoiced with the graduating set while admonishing them to resist moral decay and invite people unto goodness with the light in them.
He noted that the youths of nowadays are wallowing in pools of immorality and massive time wastage, saying they cluster at swimming pools in puddles of erotic carnal scenes, they club with shisha, masturbate at will, consume drugs like food and waste away their lifetime watching movies on screens.
“They’re alive but dead in the minds and souls. Do not do evil deeds or engage in the wrong lifestyle. Just keep inviting them to goodness.”
He warned against the erosion of modesty, noting that “the real Hijaab/Jalbaab is fast disappearing into thin air” and that trends of show-off and immorality are celebrated on social media.
“Young women” , he said, “now boast of sexual encounters as if normal, while celebrities who should be in correctional centres are idolized as role models.”
Dr Adeniyi, who has authored many books that centred on mortality and Islamic guidance, charged them for the realities that lie ahead, noting that they have to remain unshaken in the struggle against falsehood, as only the root of greatness.
Parents must rise to their responsibilities – Abu Umar Al-Faruq
A guest speaker at the event, Alhaji AbdurRazaq AbdusSalam, famously known as Abu Umar Al-Faquq congratulated the graduating students, and urged their parents to live up to the responsibilities of raising them in a way they would be proud of.
The pioneer Amir of The Muslim Congress (TMC) noted that, “those committing atrocities in the society are from certain families, just as those making great impacts are also from particular families. Each family is responsible and its products are either part of the societal problems or problem solvers. Therefore, we should train and raise our children so we can be proud of them,” he said.
Former Director of Public Affairs at Voice of Nigeria (VON) warned against parents who distort moral teachings, discourage righteous behaviors, or allow society to dictate their children’s values.
“Today, the school has done its best by training them academically and instilling in them morality that will assist them to cope with societal challenges, especially now that they have graduated. But if graduates of Vanguards Academy are reported to have committed immoral acts or keep a bad company, it’s because parents choose not to follow-up.”
Abu Umar, a renowned author stressed that condoning evil only entrenches it, eventually harming everyone, even its beneficiaries.
“It starts with the family. Each family knows the kind of children they gave birth to. If they buy a car, they must ask them the source of money. If they buy a house, they should ask them. If we fail to ask them and follow-up, when the effect comes, it will destroy everybody, including those who benefit from it.”
VAOSA rewards academic excellence
One of the key highlights of the graduation ceremony was presentation of cash gifts, books and plaque awards to some students for their excellent academic performances and laudable skills. It was sponsored by the school and its alumni association, Vanguards Academy Old Students Association (VAOSA).
The students are Mubarak Ajibade (Overall best student male), Maryam Balogun (Overall best student female), khadeejah Mosuro (Most improved), Firdaws Ismail (Most outstanding leadership female), Yusuf Akinremi (Most outstanding leadership male) and Ibrahim Olabamidele (Best in Math), respectively.
Purposeful reading, a key instrument to my success: BGS Maryam Balogun
The graduating students, dressed in their finest attire, couldn’t hide their excitement of graduating from their dream school. Speaking with Muslim News, Maryam Balogun, the Overall Best Graduating Student, said she was still trying to process the whole feeling of graduating from Vanguards Academy.
She said: “The whole thing is very weird. I know I’m graduating from Vanguards, but I’m still trying to stomach it. It hasn’t fully sunk into my mind.”
On emerging the BGS, she noted that purposeful reading remains a key instrument.
“I love reading right from childhood. Since then, I never believed in cramming. I loved to read and fully understand the concept of whatever is being read. My curiosity gets me going.”
She bared her dreams of becoming an engineer and an author in the near future.
Qur’an has made me more conscious and reserved: Hafidh Habeeb Zafaran
Relating his experience in Qur’an memorisation, Habeeb Zafaran, one of the memorisers of the Qur’an said: “I had tough times memorising the Qur’an because sometimes, it clashed with school exams, but I was determined. I had to keep setting targets every now and then. The experience has made me more conscious and reserved. I look back at the entire Vanguards Academy experience and smile. It was really interesting.”
Memorised Hadiths often put me in check– Khalid Olaonipekun
Khalid Olaonipekun, a memoriser of 40 Hadiths also shared his bit. According to him, “Some of the Hadiths I memorised contain themes of social values. So somehow, they call me to order at times, whenever I want to deviate.”
The ceremony ended with a renewed call for the graduates to uphold Islamic values, reject the moral decay of society, and lead a life of purpose and service to Allah. Parents, too, were reminded of their duty as the first and most crucial line of defense in shaping a righteous generation.
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