READ THE SPEECH OF ND 1 GOVERNOR, OPANIRAN BOLUWATIFE, THAT MADE THE BIGGEST HIT AT 2016/2017 MATRICULATION

My greetings to the provost , the deputy provost, the registrar, heads of departments, lecturers, non-teaching staff, old students, matriculating students, parents, ladies and gentlemen.

I am honoured to come before you all to speak at today’s matriculation. It is an honour to be here as a representative of National Diploma 1 students of 2016/2017 session. As we are proud to be part of this great citadel of learning at this point in time, we see ourselves lucky and I am sure everyone is excited just as I am, being here today. And if you are not, I hope you will be, at least a little bit, after hearing what I have to say.

Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) in physical size is smaller to the secondary schools most of us attended. And as for me, remembering my first day in NIJ, I had the thought I was in a higher secondary school as I lost the grip of calling this institution a tertiary one. Looking at the building, I was lost in the flashback of how my secondary school is. Then, I didn’t have the deep meanings of the words “quantity” and “quality”- these are words that have slim differences in outlook but grand meanings in their actual sense. NIJ is an institution of quality!

My first week of orientation on this Campus proves to me that I am in the right place, at the right time and in the right hands as seasoned lecturers fed us with teachings in a manner that is greatly professional.

In these few months we have sojourned here, we have been   taught practical teachings on imbibing the profession and its ethics. This small time we’ve spent here is enough for some of us to be seen as professionals in the journalism field as we already know the efficacy of deadlines and the catastrophe of not meeting up with deadlines.

Lecturers never allow us into their classes whenever we are late, emphasizing we are journalists already and not to be disgrace to the profession in the aftermath of our graduation.

We are in the best hands, no doubt about that! Going through rigorous assignments from these lecturers make us think of the stringent training of NIJ. Who would believe we are submitting assignment today which is our matriculation? I know  most of us are vexed of this whole thing. If I am not involved, I would have said they are lazy; I would have said they are cowards. NIJ is no joke! “ He that thinks he stands, take heed lest you fall”. This is a time most of us  think we are to party and… pardon me to use these words… “enjoy the lives of our heads”. I will advise us not to be weary amidst this training we term as servitude because gold goes through hard processes  before it comes shining and attractive to the eyes. We are in the process of becoming golden journalists. We should give utmost attention to our studies and have enjoyment and parties when our studies are not suffering.

We should also pity our parents and guardians. For those of us being sponsored by them, realizing NIJ fees are not peanuts as we know the unhealthy economic state of the country. Our parents and guardians have gone extra miles to get our fees, therefore, bringing the best out of our sojourn here will be their joy and we should make them happy for doing their job because some individuals don’t have the opportunity we have got.

At this point, I will like to thank the management of this institution for working tirelessly to making sure we are well grounded in this journalism profession. And to our colleagues in higher classes, we thank you all for nursing us since our inception on this campus and putting us through at our times of confusion.  We promise our total loyalty to the institution.

I pray our destinies will not be shattered and we shall get the rewards of our pains in Jesus name.

Thank you all for listening.

Great NIJ students! Great NIJ students! Great NIJ students!