The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Grace Ike, has challenged graduating students to become solution providers, embrace integrity, and choose hope over despair as they prepare for the next phase of their lives.
Ike gave the charge at the 2026 graduation ceremony of Beautiful Beginning Academy, Abuja, where she spoke as the guest speaker.
Describing graduation as the beginning of a new journey rather than the end of an academic chapter, she urged the graduands to understand that lasting success is built more on character than certificates.
According to her, while classroom examinations may have ended, life itself would continue to test values such as honesty, courage, discipline, resilience, compassion, and integrity.
“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.
Ike stressed that knowledge without strong moral values is incomplete, noting that life beyond the classroom places greater emphasis on character than academic achievements.
“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,” she added.
She encouraged the students to remain resilient in the face of challenges, reminding them that setbacks and disappointments are often stepping stones to success.
“Failure is not the opposite of success; it is often the road that leads to it,” she said.
The NUJ chair also advised the graduands to cultivate a culture of reading, remain curious, choose their friends wisely, respect others, and maintain confidence in themselves.
She commended parents for their sacrifices and applauded the teachers and management of Beautiful Beginning Academy for their commitment to nurturing future leaders through quality education and mentorship.
Ike further challenged the graduating students to become agents of positive change, urging them to build bridges rather than walls and to uphold excellence, service, compassion, and integrity throughout their lives.
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“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 ceremony ended on an inspiring note, with the presentation of a scholarship to Adaeze, emerging as one of the highlights of the event, underscoring the importance of inclusive education and the transformative power of compassion and support for children with special needs.
Earlier, the Chairman of Beautiful Beginning Academy, Chinasaokwu Okolie, commended the graduating students for their hard work and encouraged them to remain focused on their dreams and aspirations.
