Page 7 - JULY 2021 NEWSLETTER

JULY 2021 • VOLUME 7

AIZEYOSABO BAZUAYE

VALEDICTORIAN- UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
PROGRAMME

Good day everyone. On behalf of the graduating class of
2021, welcome and thank you for celebrating this special
day with us. It is such an honour to be here today.

This session started with a lot of uncertainty for me and
I’m sure for a lot of people here. COVID-19 wasn’t
something the world was prepared for and it ruined a lot of
plans. For me, WAEC had been postponed and we had to
write the exams during summer. Our summer plans were,
therefore, cancelled and we had no break because classes at
Regent and WAEC exams were going on simultaneously.
Others had to withdraw their offers to universities in
countries severely affected by the virus. In spite of
everything, here we are at our graduation!

During my time here, I’ve learnt the importance of
teamwork. Before we wrote any test or examination, you
would always find us in the lounge or the cafeteria reading
and asking ourselves questions. We pushed ourselves and
made sure we all understood what we had been taught and
so I feel it’s imperative to say I wouldn’t be up here today
without the collaboration with my friends and classmates.
In addition, I have come to appreciate the role of hard work
and perseverance in academics.

As we close this chapter in our lives and start the next one,
it is important to thank all the people that have been there
for us along the way. So thank you!
To God, who made it all possible.
To our parents, guardians, siblings and other family "Don't be
members, for your love and guidance throughout the years.
We couldn’t have done this without your steadfast support.
To our teachers, for your diligence in teaching us and afraid to speak
making sure we understood your subjects, for always being
available to answer our questions and being patient with us.
To The Regent College, for your sense of propriety, your mind, take
excellent organisation and pastoral care. You ensured we
had a conducive environment for learning. risks and stand
To the remarkable friends I’ve made here, 5 years from now
we may not remember some of the things we learnt in class,
but we will remember the love and memories we shared for what you
here. And at the end of the day, it is this love for ourselves
and humanity that will make the difference in our lives.
believe in"
Today, we are gathered here to celebrate our success. It has
not been easy, but we have reached the end of this journey.
However, it is also the beginning of a new one as we go off
to university. Many of us will be living alone and will be
required to self-regulate. Be kind, be generous, be
courageous. As we leave for our various universities, I want
to encourage you to never give up and to never forget the
sacrifices you have made to be here today. Don’t be afraid to
speak your mind. Be willing to take risks and stand for
what you believe in. Learn and be someone people can learn
from. And believe, as C.S. Lewis said, “there are far, far
better things ahead than any we leave behind.”

Thank you.