Osinbajo to youths: Integrity is your most valuable collateral

Vice- President Yemi Osinbajo on Saturday urged young Nigerian graduates to imbibe the spirit of integrity in all their endeavours.

He said trust was a fundamental ingredient to success in life, adding that graduates must not disappoint their parents who put their best to train them and their schools that impacted knowledge for them to succeed in life.

The Vice President, according to a statement, issued on Sunday morning by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, stated these at a convocation lecture he delivered at the 6th Convocation ceremony of Baze University, Abuja.

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Osinbajo said: “I have come to realize that trust or trustworthiness is fundamental to the success of practically everything you will do in life. In other words, if you can build your reputation in such a manner that you can win the trust of others, your bosses, co-workers, clients, business partners, you will be tremendously successful. If you cannot be trusted or people can’t make up their minds whether to trust you or not, you are already on the back foot and you are unlikely to succeed. Trust is the currency of successful business and social interaction. It is more valuable than money because it actually attracts money.

“ To the graduating students, you have received excellent education and instruction. Your certificate reads, ‘The senate has found you worthy in learning and character’. You are graduating at the most advanced moment in technology and innovation in the history of mankind; you are bound to succeed.

“Remember that to whom much is given much is expected, the way up requires more than talent and degrees, hard work, innovation, and integrity are crucial, but above all the grace of the Almighty God.

“So, I pray for you that you will succeed beyond your best dreams and that the honours you receive today will be your least achievement Jesus name.

“Your tassels are now turned to the left like those of us who graduated before you, you now belong to a tiny minority.

“For instance, according to the National Universities Commission (NUC), about one percent of the Nigerian population forms the total enrolment of students in the 164 universities across the country. Congratulations again.”

 

 

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