ARE YOU A GRADUATE?

GRADUATION CEREMONY

After graduation, the next question is usually, what next? Despite your academic prowess and excellent performances, people want to experience you and juxtapose your relationship with the world as an entity.

Integrity can be defined as aligning your conduct with what you know to be excellent. A person of integrity displays a principled dedication to axiology and fides qua. They always seek to reflect on ethical standards and do the right thing regardless of the circumstances.

The internal characteristics of integrity remain consistent regardless of external conditions. They are; Honesty, Sincerity and Authenticity. You have nothing to hide. You provide an example for others to follow. You also have a basis for open communication with others because they trust you. Acting with integrity gives you peace of mind in knowing you did the right thing regardless of the outcome.

Now, you are moving into the world as a graduate to confront the reality of dishonesty, insincerity, and hypocrisy. You will constantly be meeting people who pretend to be something they are not, believe something they do not believe, or value something they do not value. Their words and actions do not align with their true values and beliefs. In normal circumstances, such duplicity is deceptive. It presents an inconsistent and insincere picture of all those concerned. Integrity, therefore, is not if we cannot win them, we join them. Politics and social immorality have displaced many people. St. Paul reminded us of this, when he said, “Be careful to do what is right always in the eyes of everybody” (Rom. 12:17). Your yes should be reliable and substantial. As a graduate, kindly bow out of any relationship that can cause you to despair without destroying the reputation of your fellow. This can be called maturity. Instead, establish good and meaningful relationships because everybody needs somebody. St. Paul again said; “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, may we think about such things” (Phil.4:8).

Education would have been the simplest means to achieve stability and integration in the world especially in Nigeria my country and among the youth. It is very unfortunate that our youths pass through years of education with different levels of degree and portfolios yet education did not pass through them. the consequences are very obvious; some youth deliberately join militia groups. The Nigerian constitution seeks to promote education and eradicate illiteracy in order to project national integration. But Adebayo maintained that “one does not need to be educated to be a sage, He argued that the educated elite of the post-independence era had not done much to help national integration and development. This is true because, in the villages where the people are less educated, they accommodate strangers without calumny. He also added that an aspect of education should not be overemphasized than others, because a lack of moral values and integrity make integration difficult, hence, the need to encourage our cultural values through an educational system with a curriculum that instills moral consciousness. This will maintain and develop society. (Adebayo. P. 2011.). From this point of view, it is possible to adduce that there are lapses in the education of the youths who are equally expressed as future leaders. The National Youth Service Coup (NYSC) meant to integrate the Nigerian youth and build their integrity is yet to serve its purpose.

Finally, be careful in all you do or say, because you are responsible for your conduct and you are also responsible for your integrity. Apply prudence as a virtue, know what to say, how to say it, and when to say it. The sky cannot inhibit your limit.

Stephen Unamba

03/06/2023