Good day Chairman of the school, the proprietor, teachers, staff members, parents , students; and fellow graduating students, CONGRATULATIONS!

First of all I want to thank God who in His grace enabled us to be here. I want to thank the proprietor and the teachers for their great efforts in making our lives better.

Being in ROBINDALE COLLEGE has been a great experience, I learned and accumulated some moral lessons from this school. I am thanking this school for making me what I am today. Being a student of this school makes me happy. The teachers have handled us well, taught us everything we need to know. In this school I have been disciplined enough. Thank you ROBINDALE.

At this level, our ultimate goal has not been achieved, we have not yet reached our peak. More efforts are needed from us. We should endeavour to study and work harder as we move to senior secondary classes. My advice is not for the graduating students alone but also for the junior students. They should also strive hard to get to this position someday.

The education sector in our country requires serious attention from all stakeholder. When the President of our country had to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment, that was the height of discouragement for the teaming youngsters like me, who aspire to become medical doctors in the future. Those people we run to overseas are not better than us. They’ve only created conducive working and learning environment, as well as modern facility for the development of their human resources. Why don’t we also invest in our people and in our system instead of seeking help from abroad to the detriment of our own system?

The high rate of out-of-school children in our country is getting worse by the day. The reason for this is not far-fetched. It is owing to the lack of security, dilapidated infrastructure, unmotivated teachers, poverty, and child labour among others.

Insurgency and kidnapping issue is fast turning schooling in Nigeria to a scary adventure for children. Not too long ago, about 110 girls were abducted at a Science Secondary School in Yobe State. The innocent girls spent several days of agony in the custody of criminals until most of them were released through a political negotiation. Unfortunately, one of them named Leah Sharibu is still being held captive since over 150 days ago, because she refused to denounce her Christian faith. This is not acceptable!

I stand here to represent the Nigerian-child, saying security and education is not a privilege. Rather, it is our right! Every child in Nigeria has a right to security and education. It is the responsibility of the government to give us what is rightly ours. The school environment must be safe, well equipped and conducive for learning. If our country would be counted among the developed nations in a near future, is this too much to do for our children? Your answer is as good as mine.

Anytime you look at the Nigerian child, you are seeing the future of Nigeria! In fact, you are seeing your future. So don’t despise the child.

Efforts are needed from the parents also in encouraging their wards to study; in supporting them emotionally and mentally. And these include paying their school fees promptly as well. Teachers also need to play their roles assiduously in helping us students by teaching us more for us to become great in life.

In the words of a great man,

"Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today." – Malcolm X.

Fellow graduands, a solid foundation has just been laid but tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today. This means more preparation is still required of us to become that great leader we see in our dreams. We must keep learning; we must keep growing; we must keep acquiring education. It should not end at the four-wall building called school. Education should be a life-long endeavour. So I challenge you to prepare to fly

Therefore, whether we progress to the senior secondary school at Robindale College or we choose a school abroad, we must reflect the true spirit of Robindale… moulding yourself for excellence.

Prepare to fly, there is no limit up there in the sky!

In conclusion I want to thank all the important people who have contributed greatly in my life. My mother Mrs Funmilola Olatunji, my father Mr Olatunde Olatunji who is also the proprietor of the school. My class teacher Mrs Ekundayo and some of my friends who have encouraged me to study hard. Seniors Goodness, Marvelous , Lolade, John and Bukky among others whom time will not permit me to mention have been a source of rich inspiration to me.