The Class of 2025 of St. Gregory’s College, also known as the Kingsmen have been urged to improve themselves technologically and get all the knowledge available, to stay relevant in a world that is becoming more complex and diverse, though with lots of opportunities. The charge was given by Very Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ayeni, Administrator, St. Gregory’s College, Ikoyi, Lagos, during the graduation ceremony of Class of 2025, themed, “Run your own race,” held recently in the school premises.
Encouraging the students to take advantage of global technological advancement, Fr. Ayeni noted that people need AI to succeed in any field, including medicine and communications. According to him, “Few days ago, we got a report that globally, about 4.8 million persons lost their job due to the advancement of AI. But AI has also created more jobs. It is just that it is providing jobs for those that know about it, that are computer savvy.” The Administrator thanked God for the students’ excellent performance, as he advised parents to ensure that the faith that they have planted in the young ones is not lost. He said: “These ones are basically between 16 and 17; so, they still need a lot from their parents. Those whose parents have that good grip on at home, do so well.
So, we ask the parents to continue to guide them, encourage them. We’ll continue to encourage them. “This is their first time going to a world that is so wide. Coming to St. Gregory’s College, these walls have been protecting them. Now, they are going to be in a world that is fenceless. Many of them may make mistakes with this taste of freedom. Parents have a great role to play, especially in the boys’ relationship with God.” He called on the government to commit funds to education and research institutes, as well as curb institutional malpractices in the country. He said: “All of these have to stop, if not, we will only be losing the gap when talking about the race with the western and advanced world. So, a lot has to be done. Money has to be put in. Research has to be encouraged. “We must encourage our young ones to study. by making it affordable as well.
A lot of people don’t want to go to public schools, because of the poor standard. They come to the private schools. Private schools are also not cheap. So, affordability is also an issue that we need to look at, that has to do with education. The Guest Speaker, Miss Oladunni Shonde, urged the graduands to be confident, have integrity, aspire to be the best in what they do, be computer literate, peculiar in showing personal attributes and qualities, among other qualities that will make them thrive in a competitive world. The Chairman on the occasion, Mr. Ivor Ekpe, speaking on the theme, urged the graduands to stay focused on their objectives, ambition, work hard, even in the face of conflicts and hurdles to hold on to all that has been instilled in them.
