Command Day Secondary School Oshodi, Lagos sends forth 474 students, harps on discipline

Graduation ceremonies in Secondary schools and indeed any institution of learning throw up memories and nostalgia beginning from the time one is enrolled into the school, the entire gamut of the education calendar, the relationships built, among others. It is also a moment of sober reflection for the students who are being sent forth into the world of unknown terrains and opportunities.

Just as many will most likely find favour with fortune and providence in the highly competitive world, others may likely not get it right. But in all, the institution most likely has done her beat in charting the right course and inculcating in them the right morals, discipline, and academic wherewithal to explore the world of limitless opportunities to their own advantage.

On Saturday, July 27, 2024, the Command Day Secondary School Oshodi, Lagos State, with the motto, discipline and knowledge held a valedictory service, /speech and prize giving ceremony with the theme, “Discipline and Academic Achievements: A Pivotal Role of Parents and Teachers.”

During the occasion about 474 young men and women were sent forth for the 2024 academic year.

It was indeed a day to remember as the creme de la creme among the military hierarchy graced the occasion which also witnessed cultural displays, the unveiling of the school magazine, Legacy, international fashion parade as Ghanaians also participated, among other major programmes that highlighted the great occasion.

In his address, the Special Guest of Honour, Commandant, Nigeria Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) AVM AH Amesinlola, represented by Air Commodore Zakari, Deputy Director, Coordination, NAFRC, laid emphasis on the theme of the occasion stating that discipline is one sure thing that would lead them to greater height in life. He added that they gathered to celebrate with the students because they were found worthy in character and learning. “It gave me great pleasure to stand before you to witness the graduation ceremony of the Command Day Secondary School Oshodi class of 2024. We are all here today because the graduating students are found worthy in both character and learning.

He maintained that the theme of this year’s graduation: “Discipline and Academic Achievements: A Pivotal Role of Parents and Teachers” is most appropriate, saying that the students are graduating because they adhered strictly to the rules and regulation of the school. “You are graduating today because you adhered strictly to the school rules and regulations. Some of you that did not adhere strictly are not graduating. Be disciplined and continue to be disciplined.”

He stressed that discipline is the hallmark of success in life. He told them, just as other speakers noted, that among the graduating students are going to be future ministers, governors, presidents, commissioners, directors, soldiers, among others. “I want to let you know that they can only get to the peak if they are disciplined, by attaining excellence it will take you to higher height, but for you to sustain and grow you must be disciplined.”

Alhaji Oladimeji Adewale Azeez Abdul, representing Dr Adebola Akindele, the Distinguished Chairman of the occasion and the Group Managing Director (GMD) Courteville Business Solutions Plc, expressed his perspectives in the following way. “Sincerely it is an exciting moment for me seeing this well-organized setting, seeing students who are leaving the four walls of where moral compass is being inculcated into the students, and seeing them to go into the world to make differences in various areas. We are glad that at this point, these children are going out there to be the best in various spheres that they see themselves.”

In his advice, Abdul told the graduating students to continue to upgrade their standard and exude the confidence that has been imposed on them. “We advise the students to upgrade their standard, learn and impact, when you learn and impact, over time those achievements  will come to you, they should go forth and be successful in what they do, they should continue to imbibe the spirit, the confidence that have been imposed on them, to be able to excel in what they do.”

Lt Col M.I. Shafa, the Commandant of Command Day School Oshodi disclosed that they have come to celebrate the students due to the paradigm shift in their education level “We are here to celebrate the graduands of command Day Secondary School Oshodi. The purpose of us being here is to celebrate with the graduands due to the paradigm shift in their education level.

“I want to advise the graduands as they move to the next citadel of learning to be focused in their pursuit of their academic endeavor. The Command Day School Oshodi is known for educational excellence, and we have been performing exceedingly well in academic performance. We have succeeded in projecting Command Day Secondary School in terms of Academic performance in which our students perform exceedingly well particularly in their WAEC,” he stated.

Shafa advising the students further said, “I want to urge the graduands that this is just the beginning as they move to the next level particularly the university or high institution, they should be determined and ensure they achieve the best.”

Speaking on the role of parents in the academic well-being of the students he said, “The role of parents are very vital in the general academic pursuit and performance, the parents should not leave education in the hands of the teachers, they should encourage their children to do their assignments given to them, they should do it judiciously, because we have observed that they are not meeting their needs in terms of encouraging their children in terms of education.

“We in Command Day Secondary School Oshodi, the staff are doing exceedingly well in terms of tutoring, in nurturing these students, and I give kudos to them for their performance.”

Answering questions about those who received award he said, “These awards are being given to students who have performed exceedingly well in their academics because we value education and we value excellence. In Command Day Secondary School Oshodi, we have prizes and awards for students in different areas of endeavor.”

On whether the School is directly linked to admission into the military, he said “Command Day Secondary School is different from other Nigeria Military Schools. Zaria is known for pure military career. But command Day Secondary School Oshodi is a pivot towards achieving the next level of education which if you so wish you can still join the army if you meet all criteria for the army.”

On his advice for the children, he said, “My advice for the graduating students is that they should be focused and determined as they move to the next level of their lives. We in the Command Day Secondary School Oshodi we have tutored them, on moral and academic excellence. They should continue to exhibit that excellence anywhere they find themselves.”