Nigerian students have been advised to avoid self-doubt and think positively about themselves to succeed. Premium Times editor for South-south and South-east Nigeria, Cletus Ukpong, gave the advice recently in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, at the 2025 graduation ceremony for secondary school students and pupils of Jevic Schools, Uyo.
Ukpong presented the graduation lecture: “As young students, society has unfortunately set you up against many unfair and unjustified obstacles, with inferior attention to education, high cost of living, decayed public infrastructure, debased moral values, increasing rates of poverty and hunger, and the high rate of crimes like kidnappings and robberies in many cities in Nigeria,” Mr Ukpong said in the lecture.
“But the worst obstacle for any of you – one that could easily destroy you even before you take a step forward – is self-doubt. Others – your friends, even your parents, and your siblings – may doubt your ability to excel, to make a difference in life, but you should never doubt yourself. Never!” He told the students that self-belief always fires up passion and that victory will be very well within their reach, against any obstacle whatsoever, whenever they tell themselves, “Yes, I can.” This is the kind of mindset and attitude that propelled Nigeria’s Super Falcons to come from two goals down to beat Morocco 3-2 a few days ago. Congratulations to our girls (the Super Falcons), they deserve all the applause,” he said, adding that “You, too – all of you graduating today – deserve all the applause.
“That you have completed your secondary education is one of your early big wins in life. Do not downplay it, do not let anyone or anything take the shine off you. You have to celebrate yourselves,” the journalist said.
Ukpong also advised the students to study hard and avoid drugs, cultism, Internet scams, and other societal vices.
Leave feedback about this