- Valedictory Speech by Taiwo Oluyale, FUTA Class of 2020 Best Graduating Student
I give God all the glory, honor and adoration and thanks to Jesus Christ the author and finisher of my faith, my personal Lord and Saviour. It is with great honor and prestige that I stand before you today, on behalf of Graduating class 2020, to give this valedictory speech. I am full of gratitude.
I will like to talk about my journey in FUTA. I never competed to be the best, I only strive to achieve perpetual excellence, and fortunately other things were added unto me. I always thirst for knowledge. I evaluate my skills on a monthly basis, and I always strive to add new skills (both digital and non-digital) every month. My philosophy is always to be better than who I was yesterday.
Hmmmmn, I’ll like to tell you that I have passed through so many challenges in the course of my study in FUTA. There was a time I was away from school for more than two months, myself, my doctor, my parents and my friends were all scared about my health status whether I would make it. I had to do marathon reading when I finally returned. It was the most stressful and challenging period of my life.
There were times we pleaded with our landlords to extend the payment deadlines of our rents. There were so many other issues that time will not permit me to mention. In all, I give Glory to God.
Dear distinguished Class’ 20, our graduation today is a testimony to the glory of God, and to our
hard work over the past couple of years. Dear colleagues, do you remember the mechanical
drawing (MEE 101) stress? The times you would not take your bath before going to class? The times you felt so lost and confused? The times you cried alone at the corner of your room? Times you decided to forget about your crush to stay more focused? Times you read something but something else surfaced in the exams? Times you rushed and squeezed yourself in the school iron shuttle bus? How about the fun you had on the CSP 210 farm? The anxiety of tests and exams? The apprehension of checking your semester results, group works, and individual projects? Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic frustration? Times you had to cope with other personal life issues. Those are now memories we will remember for the rest of our life.
I dare to say that we are all strong and winners because all those experiences refined us to become proactive, better leaders, better innovators, good business men and women and excellent scholars. NO WONDER FUTA GRADUATES ALWAYS DOMINATE THE WORLD.
We have been refined. Regardless of our class of degree, we have all done well! I celebrate us all! We are all unique, vibrant and energetic! I have no doubts that everyone in class’ 20 will grow to become great ambassadors of our dear institution (FUTA).
I know many of us are worried about the next step to take, I am equally worried. However, my message to you is to believe in God and in your capabilities
Moreover, let us always remember and pray for Nigeria wherever we find ourselves.
Whatever life throws at you, take a deep breath and deeply echo the slogan of our great FUTA
“Technology for self-reliance”.
To the undergraduates here, I encourage you to give your best to your academics. Learn both
inside and outside the classroom. Take advantage of the power of technology. Take deliberate
actions to be digital literates (learn relevant software). Manage your time and set your priorities
right. You are the greatest motivation you can have.
We wouldn’t’ have been graduating today without help and push from good people around us. I would mention that I have personally enjoyed the company of good people around me. I want to thank my parents so much for their relentless prayers and support.
Many thanks to my amiable and beautiful H.O.D, Dr. (Mrs) V.O Akinola for her motivation,
care and encouragements. I also want to thank my passionate lecturers and mentors: Dr. O.
Alake, Dr. P.O Akanni, Bldr E.A Ijigah, Bldr Makanjuola, all other Lecturers and Staff of
the Building Department and many others within and outside the School of Environmental
Technology. You have all deposited great knowledge, skills and virtues into me. I also want to thank all my Departmental Colleagues for their support. You are all awesome KINGS AND
QUEENS.
I want to thank Professor E.B Oladumiye of Industrial Design Department and Dr. Paul
Olopha of Statistics Department, both have been helpful all through my time in FUTA. I also
thank the Apostolic Faith Campus Fellowship for their prayers, consistent tutorials, and for helping me learn more about music. I will miss your concerts!
THANK YOU TO MY BACKBONE, MY TWIN SISTER (OLUYALE KEHINDE), who is
also graduating with a strong first class today, I LOVE YOU.
I so much appreciate you my motivator and my best friend, Adebanjo Temitope, you are
Irreplaceable.
On behalf of the graduating class, I say a big thank you to all the parents of Class’ 20 graduands, you are our hero!
Thank you for your sacrifices of love. Can we all give our parents a standing ovation please? Class’ 20 says a big thank you to all our family and friends from far and near, who came to support us, and thanks to all our great lecturers, we will remember all the lessons you taught us. We also say thank you to all non-academic staff, your works are highly important and recognized.
Thank you to our wonderful alumni association. Please keep supporting FUTA students, it is not easy. Moving forward, we do not know what tomorrow holds, but we know who holds tomorrow, God.
On a final note, I wish FUTA A HAPPY 40TH ANNIVERSARY, for 40 years, you have consistently produced quality products.
Please wish us well as we go.
GOD BLESS BUILDING DEPARTMENT, GOD BLESS SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENTAL
TECHNOLOGY, GOD BLESS FUTA, GOD BLESS NIGERIA, AND GOD BLESS US ALL
Valedictory Address delivered on behalf of FUTA Graduating class of 2020 on Friday November 26, 2021 by Taiwo Oluyale, the best graduating student with a CPGA of 4.89 from the Department of Building Technology.