Canadian Gateway Schools Okota, on Saturday, 18th July 2026 held her 5th Valedictory/ graduation ceremony in a grand style.
This year's event titled "Think Globally and Lead Boldly", offered an opportunity for the school Management and parents of graduating students to review the academic improvements and social development of their wards.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of Canadian Gateway Schools, Dr. Hon. Timothy Awogbemi, said that the theme aligned with the motto of the school, which is "Raising Global Leaders for A Better world". He stated that his vision was to make the school a a fertile ground where students are infused and inculcated with leadership qualities that would make them stand out from their peers or contemporaries within or outside the country.
Speaking further, Awogbemi stated that, " to accomplish the vision, we must strive to go beyond the ordinary or superficial trend of doing things. Ours is a mini University of hard Knocks. In this nexus, we are inclined and determined to stretch the mental and physical capacities of our students in academics and extra curricular activities, and rejig the totality of the child."
"Our resolve to give our children the best is to make them break barriers and all encumbrances that may stand on their ways within their immediate environment or any facet of life beyond their country. The challenges and opportunities we face today, extend beyond our classrooms, cities and countries."
"To succeed in this rapidly changing and competitive world, we can learn to think globally- understanding different cultures, peculiarities, traits, interests, pursuits and recognizing our roles and functions as global citizens," he stated.
In her keynote address, the Guest Speaker, Dr. Mrs. Oluwaloseyi popogbe, Lecturer in the Department of Economics, University of Lagos, charged the students to see themselves as those that would spark global transformation.
According to Dr. Popogbe, " thinking globally means understanding that what you do today can travel across oceans and change lives thousands of miles away."
" And to lead boldly does not mean you need a crown, a political office, or a microphone. To lead boldly means that when everyone else is complaining about a problem, you are the one who steps forward to say, "l do not see a problem here, l see an opportunity to fix something and make an impact". "It means having the courage to do what is right, even if it means you are the only one doing it."
"We are living in an extraordinary time in human history. The world is no longer divided by geography; it is connected by ideas. Today, artificial intelligence, digital innovation, and entrepreneurship have turned the world into a flattened horizon. A young girl sitting in Lagos can write a line of computer code that solves a medical problem in London. A young boy at Isolo can start a business on a mobile phone that sells products to someone in Tokyo."
Continuing, Dr. Popogbe said, " we face global challenges, ranging from climate change, economic transformation, to the rapid rise of automation. However, within those challenges lie the greatest opportunities the world has ever seen."
Varying awards were presented to Overall best students and other categories. In her speech, the outgoing Head Girl, Miss Ramat Lawal, expressed gratitude to God and the school Management, "over the years, we have all harvested and reaped more than we sowed. Canadian Gateway Schools have inculcated and imbued in US many virtues that we may not have gotten elsewhere. We have been moulded for hard work, discipline, courtesy for elders, and for one another. And above all, selflessness in uplifting one another whenever the occasion demands for it."
Expressing his appreciation, the outgoing Head-Boy, Master Bryan Okechukwu, thanked the Chairman of Canadian Gateway Schools for providing an enabling environment for him and other children to pursue their dreams. In his words, " l want to use this golden opportunity to thank our great proprietor and father, Dr. T. Awogbemi, for the immense contributions and immeasurable assistance he gave to us. Sir, l want to singularly appreciate you profoundly for all your kind gestures. God Almighty will in His infinite mercy, lift you to greater heights. To all our teachers, l say thank you too. We are most grateful to you all for sacrificing your time and patience to bring us to this level. May God reward you each and every one of you immensely."
Various kinds of gifts were presented to the graudaunds and their parents/ guardians.
Some of the parents attested to their wards' academic improvements and excellent performances in social engagements, commending the school Management and staff for their care and unwavering commitment to the academic advancement of the students.
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