By Emmanuel Edukugho

WHEN less than 46 per cent of the total number of candidates nationwide that wrote the last June 18, 2011 UTME conducted by JAMB obtained the minimum 200 marks, however, Westminster College, Lagos, showed its academic prowess as all the 36 students who sat for the examination were successful.

While the highest score by one of the students was 309, no student scored less than 214 marks, making this performance of 100 per cent succcess a rare JAMB feat.

Chief Johnson Barovbe, Properitor/Managing Director, who disclosed this during the 9th valedictory service and Graduation ceremony of Westminster College recently said, “that means all the 36 students graduating today are qualified to be invited to attend post JAMB Admission Test by Universities in Nigeria.”

R-L, Deacon Gamaliel Onosode, Chief Johnson Barovbe and the Academic Award winner.

He revealed that six of the 36 students have already secured admissions to Babcock University and Bowen University, adding, “out of the six students, two are admitted for medicine at Bowen University, and I am sure that at least, 10 students in all would become medical doctors from this set of graduates.”

Deacon Gamaliel Onosode, Pro-Chancellor, University of Lagos, who chaired the ceremony, stressed the need for high standard of teaching in order to produce quality graduates for tranformation of the Nigerian society.

Onosode, also chairman, Board of Governors, Westminster College, as well as Pro-Chancellor, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State in a keynote speech, recalled that 60 years when he completed his secondary education, there was no graduation ceremony like what is happening today.

He congratulated the college, its proprietor (Managing Director), the principal, and teachers for maintaining high quality of environmental sanitation in the school over the years and producing quality citizens of the world who have show chararacter of what Westminster College is all about.

“These graduands will be critical mass of the resolve of transformation for a better society. I hope that President Goodluck Jonathan and those working with him in this transformation will be successful.”

Hecommended the diligence of staff, the academic and leadership qualities of former students in UK, wishing tht this reputation won’t be tarnished.

“I am delighted, elated and proud of being associated with this school. Quality education has been given to you and go in to the world. Not many of you were excited when I was introduced as pro-Chancellor of University of Lagos because, you know I cannot influence your admission, as the University of Lagos admits on merit. You have robust and quality education already…”

Earlier in his address, Chief Barovbe, expressed gratitude to the cream of society, respected and distinguished Nigerians, who are partners, Board members, friends and parents of Westminister College, attending the 9th graduating ceremony.

Among them was HRM, De Aholu Menu Toyi I, Oba Babatunde Akran, the Akran of Badagry who is also the Chancellor, University of Port Harcout, accompanied by his wife and chiefs. Present also were Mrs. Goodie Ibru who read the First Lesson taken from Psalm 91:1-16, Professor John Enaohwo, former Vice-Chancellor, Delta State University, Abraka who took 2nd Reading from Romans 12:1-21, Professor M. A. Danise, College of Medicine, UNILAG and a representative of Deputy Governor, Lagos State.

He described as “a tremendous achievement,” the six years of successful academic training in the college.

“Today, you are moving out of Westminster College Lagos with grandeur. You have achieved something to build on because you have enjoyed the benefit of high standard of teaching and you inevitably studied diligently.”

Saying that the college has carved a niche for itself within 11 years of its existence in the academic world, Barovbe further disclosed that “the college’s academic success emanates from the small class sizes arrangement, good teaching facilities, well qualified, experienced and professional teachers complemented with adequate supervision by the management.”

He affirmed that the college’s emphasis on the study of Mathematics and Further Mathematics, Literature and Information Technology will continue to enhance the performance of the students in examination.

The MD advised students who want to study abroad, to first undertake the one year international University Foundation Programme at Westminster College Lagos.

“Our Foundation Programme, on successful completion leads to the First Year of Bsc degree in Accounting and Financial Management, Architecture, Engineering, Economics and Law in any of the 20 UK universities we are assocaited with, while medical students go on to universities in Hungary.”

The college also has leadership training as it deeply believed that the problem of Nigeria is not poverty, knowledge or ignorance but dearth of patriotic leaders capable of harnessing our economic endowment.

“Citizen responsibility, moral and ethics are part of Westminster Leadership traning,”pointing to Miss Adepoju Olabimtan, a student from the college, studying Law at the University of Buckingham in the UK was elected in 2010 as the student union president of that university.

On mentorship, students were taken to Ghana to spend some time with former President Jerry Rawlings, while the experience gained from the visit, lectures received, humility and politeness, listening to that great African leader will linger long in their memories, and shaped their attitude and character.

Barovbe gave the outgoing students homework – go to the web (internet) to study the biography of General Yakubu Gowon, J. J. Rawlings, Babatunde Fashola, Adams Oshiomhole and Dr. Okonjo-Iweala. He apprecaited the parents for the love they have for the college and the children, the chairman and members board of governors, friends and well wishers, asking God to bless them all.

In his exhortation, a Catholic Priest, Rev. Father Chuks, charged the students to think of what they will be as they are leaving.

“Be a light – but what kind of light? Light on lampstand or under the bushel? Since your education is from Catholic approach, received intellectual transformation and good character, teachers gave you the fundamentaals. Real education begins today to put into practice, what you’ve learnt; how to shine in future, going to a world filled with hate and fear…”