An executive banker, Mr Adebayo Adeyinka, has decried the rate at which Nigerian youths were committing suicide due to failure in their academic pursuits.
Adeyinka who is the regional bank head, Southwest 1, Fidelity Bank Plc, made the assertion at the 2019 National Pre-University Conference in Badagry, organised by CityMood Communications.
“Many Nigerian youths are committing suicide because of academic failure, not knowing that failure is part of life.
“Suicide is not the next thing in life, if you fail the first time, prepare and do it again.
“Nothing can stop you, not even lack of resource can stop you from achieving your dreams, it is only you that can stop you in life,” Adeyinka said.
He urged those students who did not get admission to institutions of their choices after several attempts to work hard and prepare to do it again; saying that nothing good comes easily.
He urged students and admission seekers to be free to dream and be focused.
“A dream is not what you see in your dream, but a dream is that which keeps you awake in the night.
“Have a clear cut goal and ask yourself if I gain admission today to the university, what do I intend to achieve at the end.
“Resist any attempt by anyone to put you in the secret cult. Please never join any cult in school,” he pleaded.
Adeyinka, however, advised them to make good friends and build good network when they gain admission into the university.
Also, Ms Chizobam Ofoegbu, a Confidence Coach, urged the students to be careful about the type of groups they keep in higher institutions.
Ofoegbu said that peer pressure was the number one killer of youth nowadays.
She said peer pressure is when you are easily motivated to sabotage your life and life of others.
Ofoegbu urged students to know the type of friends to keep while in school, adding that bad friendship could life.
She also advised them to always associate themselves with people of character and value.
Commenting, Mr Folaranmi Oyediran, author and youth leadership expert, urged students seeking admission to know the purpose of their going to the university.
“Knowing the purpose of going to university is to study and become purposeful in life and you must give it everything to succeed.
“University is not a place where you go and play, but to study squarely.
“You will succeed in university without comparing yourself with others.
“You must manage your life within the time allocated to you,” he advised.
Also, Opeyemi Oke, the Executive Director, Equip Africa, advised students that have talents to utilise it.
Oke appealed to parents to allow their children to explore their talents, urging the students to search for their talents and develop them.
Chief Executive of Citymood Communications, Mr Sewhupe Akande, said the aims of the event was to enlighten graduating senior secondary school students and young school leavers about higher education pursuit.
“Developments in our Ivory Towers have necessitated a national re-orientation of our admission seekers with the hope of shaping and sharpening their perspective about university education and positioning them for a quick start at excelling on campus.
“With the pedigree of speakers at this conference, participants are guaranteed of receiving knowledge that will impact their lives and nation for good,” he said.
Many students in senior secondary schools and young school leavers within and outside Badagry attended the conference.
