The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, has urged graduating students of Beautiful Beginning Academy (BBA) to become solution providers who prioritise character, integrity and service above academic certificates and material success.
Ike gave the charge while delivering the keynote address at the academy’s 2026 graduation ceremony held at Nile University, Abuja, describing the event as the beginning of a new journey of purpose, responsibility and limitless opportunities.
Addressing the graduands, she said academic excellence alone would not determine success in life, stressing that character would ultimately shape their reputation, influence and legacy.
“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 the NUJ chairman, while certificates may create opportunities, only integrity and good character can sustain success and earn lasting public trust.
“The questions life asks are not answered with pencils; they are answered with character. 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,” she added.
Ike also encouraged the graduands to remain resilient in the face of setbacks, describing failure as a necessary stepping stone 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 said.
She further urged the students to cultivate the habit of reading, remain curious, choose their friends wisely, respect others and believe in their abilities.
Calling on the graduates to become agents of positive change, Ike challenged them to use their education to improve society and touch 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,” she said.
The NUJ chairman also commended parents for their sacrifices in supporting their children’s education and praised the management and teachers of Beautiful Beginning Academy for their commitment to quality education, mentorship and raising future leaders.
One of the highlights of the ceremony was the award of a scholarship to Adaeze, a child with special needs, in a gesture that underscored the school’s commitment to inclusive education and equal opportunities for every child to realise his or her potential.
Earlier, Chairman of the Board of Beautiful Beginning Academy, Sir Chinasaokwu Innocent Okolie, urged the graduands to remain worthy ambassadors of the institution and uphold the values instilled in them.
He encouraged the students to embrace the future with courage, discipline and a strong sense of responsibility, noting that the world was waiting for their contributions as the next generation of leaders.
