It started-off with wonderful sights of parents, wards, distinguished, invited guests, members of staff and the Board of Governors of Premiere Academy trooping in procession into the multipurpose hall of the school to occupy their seats, as the 2019 graduating students marched into the hall in grand style to commence the long awaited ceremony.
The Masters of Ceremony for this year’s event were Raymond Akan, Jasper Nshem and Judith Dilkon, brilliant students from SS2 with proven academic records and reputable characters. They started by inviting Master Ayeni Kayode, the school Chaplain Prefect to take the opening prayers and invite the Almighty to preside over the event. This was followed shortly afterwards by the opening address given by Mr Rowland Eno, school Principal, who acknowledged the invited guests; Chief (SAN) Adegboyega Awomolo (Guest speaker), Hon. ObinnaOriaku (Commissioner of Finance AbiaS tate), Prof. Nse Udo Essien, Hajia Tamadina Sani Abba (Mother of the day) and Edward Okolo (Director, SEC) as the Father of the Day. The Board of Governors, Premiere Academy were duly acknowledged andwere represented by Prince Michael Adeyemi-Osuma (Chairman), Mrs Stella Oluremi Fawehinmi (Lead Director), Chief Akinsola Akinfemiwa, OON and Mr Akin Oladapo (Supervising Director).The Principal continued by urging the students to keep working hard as many more huddles awaited them in their academic journey. He mentioned the need to put to good use all skills and training gathered at school. He finally encouraged them to be good ambassadors in any academic institution they find themselves in the future.
The programme was coloured with prestigious award presentations from key educational institutions, NGOs and philanthropists who held Premiere Academy dear to their hearts. Smartly delivered were awards from the Sybil Iroche Award for Excellence for Best All-round Graduating Student, the Dr. (Mrs) O. B. Akinfemiwa Award for Best Female Student Science/Technology & Mathematics, Araba Foundation Award for Best Male Chess player, Best Female Chess player, Best Male and Female students in Coding, the Rowland Eno Award for Leadership, the Ruhe Global Resources Award for Excellence to the best Male Student, the Nile University of Nigeria Vice Chancellor Award for Excellence to the Overall Best Graduating Student and finally the Brookstone School Award for Best Graduating Female Student. Students marched up the stage in excitement to receive their awards as the crowd cheered them with enthusiasm during the session.
Seizing the moment was the much awaited time to hear from the Head boy, Master James Inyekwe (SS3 Science) and Head girl, Miss Somto Nwoko (SS3 Arts) who were prepared to give accounts of their experiences and lessons learnt in Premiere Academy. The crowd greeted them with standing ovations as each walked up to reel out their testimonies.
The Head Boy talked about the moment and experiences when teachers imparted self discipline and self confidence into him, bearing in mind his rather reserved background, the general school life at Premiere Academy had also enabled him build confidence in himself. It enabled him sharpen his skills as a young leader too, according to him. Teachers like coach Kayode Onitilo had made a lasting impact in his life he would never forget.
The Head Girl spoke about a school she could never forget. Coming out of the suburbs of Enugu State, she never saw herself living and schooling in the midst of students from various parts of the country, representing various tribes and religions. Hoping to build a career in the arts, she attested to the immense influence the school had made on her especially in the aspect of cultural diversity and social awareness of different tribes in Nigeria. She gave an emotional account of her experience, saying that, she would be forever grateful to the school authorities, teachers and most especially her loving parents who gave her the opportunity to pass through the school.
Without wasting much time, after a few musical interludes from from the Music Performing and Creative Arts department, the special guest speaker, Chief (SAN) Adegboyega Awomolo, was invited to deliver his speech. As a successful Lawyer and philanthropist, he charged the graduating students on the need to keep studying and learning as there is no short cut to success. He further sensitized them on the need to work harder to prepare for future challenges and not to be complacent or self-approving. He gave an analogy of many rivers to cross on the journey of pursuing their academic goals. He further advised the graduating students to keep in touch with one another and not to forget the lessons learnt in the early days.
After a few cultural dances from Performing Arts department of the school, it was time to invite the graduating students for scroll collections and the long awaited throwing of caps. The throwing of caps by the outgoing students marked the pinnacle of the event, as parents, wards, invited guests and the entire staff of the school joined them as they screamed and celebrated to mark their final academic day in Premiere Academy secondary school. This set the tone for the outgoing SS2 students (soon to move on to SS3) who watched in amazement and excitement as they looked forward to the 11th Graduation ceremony due next year in the 2019/2020 academic session. The end of the programme was followed by refreshments and group photographs from parents, graduating students and Premiere Academy staff team.
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