By Kingsley Adegboye

Former governor of Cross River State, Mr Donald Duke, has urged students of the Deeper Life High School (DLHS) to develop their talents, saying such feat could make them different from other youths aspiring greatness in life.

He said this recently during a programme popularly known as ‘Activate’ an event organized by the DLHS, meant to stimulate talents’ discovery and development among their students.
The event, with a theme, “Endless Possibilities For Great Minds” and held at the school’s Lagos Campus, Mowe, Ogun State, was the seventh edition of the programme.
The event that had former governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke as the guest speaker, virtually brought together over 8,000 students of the school located in 22 other locations across the federation.
Speaking, Duke, who noted that everyone was born with distinction, urged each student to focus on his or her inborn passion to become great in life.
According to Duke the world was looking for those who have what it takes to turn things around.
While noting that education was good, Duke said those with identifiable and developed skills were ruling the world.
He said, if a man develops his talents, he will have no business with mediocre.
He applauded the management of DLHS for organising Activate, which among others, is meant to challenge the students to see beyond education and develop their potentials for a greater future.
The ex-governor, who commended the school for the initial, said the world has gone beyond education alone.
He therefore charged the students to rise to the challenge of fulfilling the purpose of their existence.
To do that, the former Cross River governor said there was need for the educators to aid the students in discovering their God-given skills, adding that people with definite skills were taking over leadership positions.
Duke, who noted that the world was dynamic, added that God has placed on every student the responsibility to discover, develop and distinguish himself.
He warned against social vices that can hinder anyone to fulfill his or her destiny, saying nothing comes easy.
“Nothing comes easy. You have to give all your attention and focus to be successful.
“Never think that God puts you here for nothing. No! Listen to your intuitive voice and go ahead to achieve it.
“If your passion is music, make sure you go for it. Go the extra mile to be the best. Passion inspires you to go the extra mile.
“Identify where your passion lies. If your passion is music, go for it. Be the best you can be in whatever you want to be.
“Prepare yourself for the future and do all the needful to be different in your calling and embrace technology with good intention.
“Each one of you, either as students or teachers, must aspire to be productive in all your fields.
Speaking earlier, the DLHS Education Secretary, Mrs. Thelma Malaka, said the programme, which usually holds at the end of second term, avails their students to showcase their skills, foster togetherness and inspire one another positively.
The ES, who rolled out some of the achievements DLHS had attained since its inception, appreciated Duke for his charge and presented him with a plaque.
DLHS National Administrator, Pastor Rufus Ogundare, who urged the students to imbibe excellent disposition, said nothing can hinder their attainment in life.
“If learning is properly appropriated, it brings about positive changes to life and behaviors. It also determines how far one can go or achieve in life.”