By Osa Mbonu-Amadi, Arts Editor

The Principal of Evangel College, Okokomaiko, Lagos, Deacon Moses O. Egwu, has told the 2024 graduands of the college that choice is a life catalyst that is available to all humans around the globe.

The principal handed down the piece of advice during the valedictory service and graduation ceremony of the mission college held last Saturday, July 13, 2024 at the school in Lagos.   

In his address titled “Choice, the Life Catalyst”, the principal said choice is an immaterial and inevitable change agent that can be utilized to give shape to one’s future. “Everyone,” he said, “succeeds or fails at the altar of choice.

“From the age of accountability, choice defines the changes that occur in our lives as we progress from one developmental stage to another.  Choice is a lifelong change agent. It has to do with voluntary decisions one makes between two or more, and most times, appealing options or alternatives.” 

Emphasizing the significance of choice, Deacon Egwu revealed that those “alternatives present themselves to us on daily basis and in different forms. The choice we make between these alternatives can either make or mar our future and comfort.”

He drew his example from the Holy Bible in the book Deuteronomy, chapter 30, verses 15 and 19, saying that Almighty God set before the Israelites conflicting alternatives – life and death and evil and good:  “As a loving father, he counselled them to choose life in order to experience a better life. We have been spending quality time admonishing you on this age-long message from the Lord.  This is the only way to a good future.

“We are daily inundated with a deluge of choices to make in our careers, relationships, projects, lifestyles, academics, businesses, clothing, dieting and even personality.  One perspective of choice is that it is a gift from God meant to be positively and rationally employed for our benefit,” the principal told the outgoing students.

He continued: “In collaboration with your parents, we have passionately and prayerfully guided, taught and mentored you on the path to a successful life.  Our parting message to you remains ‘hold on to God; draw near to Him every day and make informed choices in all your future engagement.’ 

“I pray that the Lord, who alone is the God of Evangel College, by His infinite mercy, will preserve you and you will continually be good ambassadors of this school, in Jesus’ name. 

“Goodbye source of our joy.  Goodbye dear children.  Goodbye Worthy Ambassadors.  Go and prosper,” Deacon Egwu concluded.

The 2024 Evangel College Valedictory Service & Graduation Ceremony was attended by very important persons across different strata of life including ministers of Assemblies of God Church who are the proprietors of the college, parents and students of the college.