“We still have mountains to climb and
obstacles to overcome”Text of the Valedictory
Address delivered by Osakpolor Eki Obakpolor of
the Department of Physics , 2015 Best
Graduating Student with CPGA of 4.84On finding
out that I have been selected to give the
valedictory speech, I had but one worry
andthat’s whether I would be tall enough to
reach the microphone. Betty Reese said “If you
think you are too small to be effective, you
have never been in bed with a mosquito”. In
this I have found consolation. Therefore, I am
honored and excited to be here, not only to
represent this awesome graduating class of the
Federal University of Technology, Akure
2014/2015 academic session, but to stand in
theexact spot where great scholars have
stood.The author of Harry Porter, J.K Rowling
in her commencement address to Harvard
graduates of 2008 said “some failure in life is
inevitable. It is impossible to live without
failing at something”. That was my
consolation on failing my first Post UTME. In
the word of Theodore Roosevelt, “the boy who is
going to make a great man, or is going to
count in any way after-life, must make up in
his mind not merely to overcome a thousand
obstacles, but to win in spite of thousand
repulses and defeats”. Five years ago, on
gaining admission into this institution, I was
excited and anxious at the same time – excited
about the prospect of studying Physics in the
Nation’s leading University of Technology and
anxious about what the five years would hold.
But here I am, with gratitude to the
almighty God for making me a recipient of
His grace.While not forgetting the place of
diligence and discipline in this achievement, I
would not overlook the place of my family;
family where life begins and love never end.
It was there I learnt to strive for
excellence no matter what. At home, biblical
and ethical principles for attaining good
success in all facets of life were instilled. I
am deeply grateful to my parents, Pastor and
Mrs. Moses Eki Obakpolor, my twin sister,
Blessing, my younger sister Joy and my other
siblings for their support this far.It has
been a long five years, but here we are, ready
to graduate. We worked hard to get to this
point, but we didn’t do it by ourselves. We owe
a huge debt of gratitude.To our parents,
guardians, family and friends, thank you for
supporting us in more ways than it’s possible
to count and for your sacrifices.To our
Chancellor, Pro Chancellor, Vice-chancellorand
all the Principal officers of this University,
thank you for keeping things running
smoothly and making this institution the
pride of all.To our Lecturers, thank you for
your unrelenting efforts in imparting
knowledge. Your sacrifices were beyond the call
of duty.To our Proprietor/Proprietress,
Principals and Teachers in secondary schools,
thank you for laying a solid foundation upon
which we built onhere.Behind each graduate,
there must have been at least a dozen people
providing support in at least a dozen ways.
Thank you for coming to share in our joy. We
will pay the debt of gratitude forever.Class of
2015, be proud of yourselves. Be proudof every
test and exams you aced. Be proud of the times
you had to carry the MEE board even though it
later became more of a burden. Be proud of
the times you had to spend your weekends in
the school farm because in that you have
learnt the indispensability of agriculture to
man’s sustenance. Be proud of the times you
had to be awake all night in preparation for
a test. Also be proud of the times you wrote
tests unprepared for. Class of 2015; be proud of
the times you had to put off your own work
to help a friend. Be proud of thetimes you
couldn’t answer certain questions because in
that you have learnt that no one knows it
all. Be proud of when you forgave yourself for
a bad grade and gave yourself a break. Be
proud of yourself when you do get the job or
win the contract because in more ways than
you can imagine, you are contributingto
national accomplishments. Be proud of all
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