Obasanjo urges Ogun students to pair academic success with character

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged secondary school students in Ogun State to combine academic excellence with good character, saying achievement in the classroom alone is insufficient for success in life. Obasanjo gave the advice in remarks delivered by Emeritus Professor Peter Okebukola, director of the Institute of African Culture and International Understanding at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta. The remarks were made on Tuesday at the Obasanjo Back-to-School Project.

The programme was organised by the Youth Development Centre of the presidential library in conjunction with Providus Unity Bank. More than 100 secondary school students selected from six local government areas received school bags, notebooks, socks, pens and other stationery. The event also included a pep talk, games and a career discussion.

Obasanjo advised the students to concentrate on their studies, cultivate regular reading and limit distractions from smartphones and social media. He told them not to be discouraged by difficult subjects such as mathematics, chemistry and physics, but to work harder and seek help where necessary. He also encouraged them to view failure as an opportunity to identify problems and try again, rather than as a permanent definition of their ability.

The former president said sound education remained a foundation for future success and urged the students to develop habits that would benefit their families, communities and country. Ogun State’s education commissioner, Abayomi Arigbabu, represented at the event by Bolanle Idowu, said the distributed materials would assist students and reduce financial pressure on their parents. Youth Development Centre chairman Bisi Kolapo said the project was a maiden initiative and would be sustained.