By Joseph Erunke

The International President of Marist Brothers Juniorate Old Boys Association (XJAYS), Chief ESV. Ikenna Lansar Aghaji, has called on Nigerians to embrace honesty and uprightness in business transactions, describing integrity as a key driver of success in commerce and life.

Aghaji made the call during the XJAYS Annual General Meeting held at Casoni Hotel, Stadium Road, Port Harcourt, as part of the association’s 2026 reunion, which drew members from across Nigeria and abroad.

According to a statement issued after the event, he said honesty remains a critical foundation for sustainable business relationships and personal credibility.

He told members that integrity often opens more opportunities than financial strength or personal connections, stressing that reputation built on truth attracts trust and long-term partnerships.

“Honesty is the backbone of business transactions which makes people want to have a deal with you even without knowing you from anywhere,” he said.

Aghaji urged members of the association to uphold ethical standards in their dealings within the XJAYS network and in broader society, adding that character remains central to lasting success.

Participants at the meeting supported his message, sharing personal experiences of how trust and integrity within the alumni network had fostered business collaborations, contracts and lifelong relationships.

The testimonies, according to organisers, reinforced the association’s long-standing values of unity, service and ethical conduct.

The reunion featured a series of activities, including an opening ceremony on Friday, the AGM on Saturday, and a novelty football match between older and younger sets, which ended goalless.

The event concluded on Sunday with a thanksgiving mass, where members reflected on shared memories and the values of their formative years.

The association also announced that its next annual reunion will hold in Enugu in 2027.