By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
Reverend Father Andrew Obinyan, former parish priest of St. Albert Catholic Church in the Ugbowo Campus of the University of Benin, has challenged students to live up to the high expectations that the society places on them.
He made the challenge while addressing members of the National Association of Edo State Students(NAESS) on the topic “Role of Students In Nation Building” in Benin city.
Addressing the students, Father Obinyan said: “You give back to the society what you’ve received. What you’re receiving now in the University is what you give back. If you’re very hardworking, diligent, focused, visionary. That’s what you will give back to the nation.
“Tomorrow, we will have leaders who are diligent, hardworking, sincere, forthright, serious and that translates into the nation at large. It will also show the kind of nation that we have.
“Right now you’re already contributing to nation building because the nation is looking up to you. How do you do that in practical terms? From my own experience here on campus it is so simple. Work hard and be responsible. Study hard, read hard, research hard.
“When you step out of the four walls of the university you come to realize whatever you invest in yourself today would show tomorrow. Tomorrow you will be working somewhere to build the nation. Whatever you’re doing today you’re already building, you’re a pillar and the nation is looking up to you.”
Father Obinyan charged the students to work hard and distinguish themselves in whatever they’re doing.
“You will make a lot of difference if you stand out. Out there in the society people are looking for those who are distinguished. The same virtue we preach, propagate and inculcate in church are those virtues that society lookout for – honesty, punctuality, loyalty.
“If you now imbibe them and distinguish yourself it is going to rub off on the nation.”
National President of the NAESS, Stepping Atemonokhai, in his goodwill message, praised Father Obinyan for his scholarly presentation. He charged the priest to join the race of who becomes Edo State Governor in 2024 promising that he will have the full support of students and youths if he does.