The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, has urged graduating students to become solution providers, choose character over certificates and remain hopeful in the face of life’s challenges.
Ike gave the charge at the 2026 graduation ceremony of Beautiful Beginning Academy in Abuja, where she delivered the keynote address as the guest speaker.
She described the graduation ceremony as not the end of an academic journey but the beginning of a life of purpose, responsibility and limitless opportunities.
The NUJ chairman stressed that success in life is determined more by character than academic qualifications, reminding the graduands that while classroom examinations may have ended, life would continue to test their values.
“The examinations that truly matter are not set by teachers but by life itself. They test honesty, courage, discipline, resilience, compassion and integrity,” she said.
According to her, knowledge without strong moral values is incomplete, adding that life beyond the classroom places greater value on character than academic performance.
“The questions life asks are not answered with pencils; they are answered with character.”
She encouraged the graduates to cultivate honesty, courage, discipline, resilience, compassion and integrity, noting that while certificates may eventually gather dust, a good reputation endures.
“Knowledge may make you intelligent, but character will make you unforgettable. Long after people forget your grades, they will remember your integrity. Long after certificates gather dust, your reputation will continue to speak for you.”
Ike also advised the graduands to remain resilient in the face of setbacks, describing failure as an essential part of the journey to success rather than its opposite.
“There will be days when life will not go according to your plans. You may fail an examination, lose an opportunity, face disappointment or experience rejection. When those moments come, remember this: failure is not the opposite of success; it is often the road that leads to it.”
She further encouraged the students to remain curious, develop a strong reading culture, respect others, choose their friends wisely and believe in their abilities.
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The NUJ chairman commended parents for their sacrifices and applauded the teachers and management of Beautiful Beginning Academy for nurturing future leaders through quality education and mentorship.
She challenged the graduating class to become agents of positive change by building bridges instead of walls and embracing excellence, integrity, service and compassion throughout their lives.
“Success is not measured by how much money you make but by how many lives become better because you lived. Success may fill your pocket, but significance fills your purpose. Service earns respect. Character earns trust. Legacy earns remembrance.”
One of the highlights of the ceremony was the award of a scholarship to Adaeze, described as a defining moment that underscored the importance of inclusive education, compassion and corporate philanthropy in creating opportunities for children with special needs.
Earlier, the Chairman of Beautiful Beginning Academy, Sir Chinasaokwu Innocent Okolie, urged the graduating students to be worthy ambassadors of the institution, reminding them that the world awaits their contributions as future leaders.
