Full Valedatory Speech delivered by Onyeama Councillor

By Onyeama Councillor Nzewonye,
ABSU BEST GRADUATING STUDENT, AT THE 24TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY.

The Executive Governor of Abia State and Visitor to Abia State University, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu; Honourable Chancellor, Your Excellency Sir Francis Orji; the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Senator Adulfus Wabara; the Vice-Chancellor, Professor E. Uche Ikonne, and his managent team; staff of Abia State University, eminent scholars, captains of industry, students, parents and guardians, ladies and gentlemen,
I greet you all with every element of humility in me.

When I received a call to prepare this valedictory speech as the Best Graduating Student Class of 2014/2015 of this great citadel of learning East of the Niger, the first thing I thought after that call was: "If it were not God, who am I to be exalted?" Thereafter I was filled with silence from inside-out. But I knew I was very happy. And while I still basked in the euphoria of having attained this feat, I knew His Grace had found me once again. Therefore only God could have done this, and I am very grateful.

First of all I must tell everyone present that I am VERY PROUD of being a product of Abia State University; not because I am standing before you all as primus inter pares, but because this institution has not only moulded me in character and learning, but also taught me the need to always strive for excellence in every service I render to humanity. In this regard, I must thank our amiable Vice-Chancellor, Professor Uche Ikonne for the way he has been striving to sustain the motto of ABSU, which is "Excellence and Service."

Now I am not here to tell everyone that we are the best, but one thing I can vouch for is that we have stood the test of time and we are great! We have always thrived in coming out tops, and we have significantly shown the strength in Ikenga, looking at traditional Igbo in a comparative world. So, ABSU may not be the biggest campus in the country, but its students are not only sound in academics but are also well-versed in other facets that concern the realities of life.

I also use this opportunity to thank all the lecturers who taught me. Particularly, I am grateful to the Department of Linguistics and Communication Studies/Igbo for having made me understand that the line separating failure and success is no line, in that whether one wants failure or success in life all depends on the person's mindset and first approach at either of them. And like Napoleon Hill rightly said, "Whatever the mind of man can conceive, that it can achieve." So no matter what be the course you are studying, as long as you conceive that you are going to make out something great from it, only then would you achieve greatness, and you can tell yourself that the medical doctor or engineer out there is no better than you.
Also, it was Mark Twain who said: "There are a thousand excuses for failure, but never a good reason." The reason most people fail in life is because they lack discipline and patience.

We live in a dynamic culture where reading has become a very boring and shy thing to do. Global economies are failing and there is high cost of living, and by this people have lost every element of discipline and patience they have in them. How much more students? But today you can wake up that sleeping genius in you. Today, you can can pick up your books and start reading, not minding if they mock you or say, you you are wasting your time. You can take that decision that will turn your life around, and aim for excellence in the service you render to yourself and to humanity. I urge you to embrace the four cardinal points at not just being successful but having a fulfilled life; and they are: the fear of God, humility, discipline and patience. Today I want to let you know that what it takes to be a failure is even more stressful and boring than what it takes to be a success.

May I at this point thank and appreciate my family members, who have been the cornerstone of my support and success. Daddy's discipline and counsel alongside Mummy's love and care have been of great help to me. On that note I say thank you Daddy and Mummy. And of course not forgetting friends, course mates, junior and senior colleagues that contributed in one way or the other at ensuring that we remained a strong and unified army in winning this battle. I am very grateful to you all.

I thank you all for your presence and patience.

To God be the glory.

Onyeama Councillor