Students
The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, CP Tijani Fatai, and some professionals on Thursday cautioned secondary school leavers against negative peer pressure, distractions and crime.
They urged them to fulfil their purpose and contribute meaningfully to society.
The professionals spoke at the annual “Beyond Secondary Education: What Next?” (BSEWN 14.0) convocation, organised in Lagos by the Success Ambassadors Foundation, a subsidiary of Future Matters Concept.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2026 edition of the youth convocation brought together scores of secondary school students.
The event was tagged “Renewed Mindset”.
In his keynote address, Fatai advised students to develop a positive mindset, saying negative peer pressure had destroyed the future of many young people.
Fatai, who was represented by DCP Anthony Placid, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Administration, said a renewed mindset would help young people overcome environmental limitations.
“A renewed mindset will transit you from being a victim of environment to a master of purpose.
“You must reject the disillusion of getting rich quick. Shortcuts do not lead to success; they lead to destruction.
“A renewed mindset sees failure as data. Young adults should not engage in crimes or cyber fraud. If you engage in cyber fraud, your life will not be peaceful,” he said.
Fatai, who stressed the importance of personal integrity, urged participants to prioritise peace and contribute to its sustenance.
Also speaking, a constitutional lawyer and public affairs analyst, Mr Jide Ologun, urged young Nigerians to take responsibility for their future.
He advised them to embrace excellence and remain determined in their pursuit of success.
Ologun challenged the younger generation to develop a renewed mindset anchored on scholarship, hard work, resilience, commitment and positive relationships.
He explained the concept of RENEWED Mindset as a guide to personal development.
According to him, each letter represents Responsibility, Enthusiasm, Networking, Excellence, Wisdom, Empowerment and Determination.
Ologun urged young people to become contributors to societal development rather than agents of social problems.
He stressed that their decisions and associations would significantly influence their future.
He cautioned against negative peer pressure, internet fraud, drug abuse and occult practices.
He advised young people to surround themselves with individuals who would positively influence their lives.
Ologun cited biblical examples of Joseph and Esther, who distinguished themselves through righteousness.
He said young people could overcome negative influences and make positive decisions, regardless of their circumstances.
He also urged parents to serve as good role models, devote time to nurturing their children and invest in their education and moral upbringing.
He advised parents to remain prayerful and patient while raising their children.
On governance, Ologun urged political leaders to invest national resources in securing future generations rather than mortgage their future through excessive borrowing and mismanagement.
Dr Ajoke Ogunsan, Managing Director, Executive Group, represented by a lawyer, Mr Samuel Tiamiyu, said young people must develop a growth mindset and discover their potentials.
Ogunsan also urged them to acquire high-paying, marketable skills to succeed beyond secondary education.
She said educational qualifications should serve as foundations for exploring wider opportunities rather than limitations to individual achievements.
According to her, young people should not define their future solely by their academic backgrounds or initial career choices.
She said they should recognise that their abilities could open doors to opportunities in different fields.
Ogunsan urged young people to embrace self-discovery, discipline, mentorship and continuous learning.
She stressed that the next stage after secondary education should involve acquiring skills capable of solving real-life problems.
She advised them to prioritise integrity, competence and value creation, warning against fraudulent means of making money.
She specifically cautioned them against internet fraud, popularly known as Yahoo.
“Your journey to wealth is not Yahoo or fraud money. Focus on a high-paying skill and build it with patience, competence and integrity,” she advised.
Ogunsan outlined four steps for young people seeking to redefine their future.
These include discovering their strengths and interests, choosing a marketable skill, connecting with mentors and training opportunities, and practising consistently to build competence.
Another lawyer, Mr Azeez Oladapo, shared his personal life journey, recounting how he dropped out of school due to negative peer pressure.
He urged students to learn from his experience and avoid wasting their formative years.
Oladapo, Chairman of the Ninalowo Empowerment Foundation and an entrepreneur, stressed the importance of discipline and positive associations in achieving success.
Dr Sola Pitan, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health District I, said academic success remained important.
He, however, urged young people to combine their studies with self-discovery and the courage to pursue their passions.
Pitan, who was represented by Dr Morayo Olukoya, Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, emphasised the importance of networking.
She advised students to build meaningful relationships with their peers and maintain those connections.
According to her, friendships established during school years could become valuable in the future.
She urged young people not to underestimate the importance of maintaining good relationships.
Dr Oluyemi Taiwo, Medical Director, Lagos State General Hospital, Ifako-Ijaiye, urged students to remain focused, build meaningful networks and pursue their life goals.
He noted that there were several pathways to success.
Taiwo said education remained essential, but people with relevant skills could also succeed.
He urged students to embrace continuous learning, personal development, good mentorship and networking.
Earlier, the Convener of BSEWN, Mr Adewale Adeleye, said the initiative was designed to provide career guidance, mentorship and leadership development.
He said it also aimed to expose young people transitioning from secondary school to the next phase of life to available opportunities.
“Our message is simple: Secondary school is not the end of your journey; it is the beginning of another chapter.
“We believe that a young person’s background should never become a barrier to their breakthrough, and their present circumstances should never define their future,” he said.
Adeleye urged students to develop relevant skills, embrace continuous learning and surround themselves with positive influences.
He said success depended not only on academic certificates but also on competence, character, creativity and consistency. (NAN)
