QUEEN OF APOSTLES; THE BEST GRADUATION SO FAR
Queen of Apostles Seminary students graduation and Induction Ceremony...Best in history
VALEDICTORY SPEECH PRESENTED BY EKUTT ElijaH FRANCIS, BEST GRADUATING STUDENT, ON THE OCCASION OF THE GRADUATION/INDUCTIONCEREMONY, THIS DAY, 5TH MARCH, 2022.His Lordship Most Rev Dr Camillus Raymond UmohThe Rector Team of FormatorsReligious and members of staff The PTA chairman, the Father of the Day and other dignitariesOur Dear parentsBeloved Classmates and the SeminariansLadies and gentlemenI am indeed delighted to be given this great opportunity to address this noble gathering on the 2021/2022 graduation/ induction ceremony of Queen of Apostles Seminary, Abak. A graduation ceremony is always such a special occasion; the culmination of years of hard work; the actualization of goals attained, and the acknowledgement of success achieved. So it is on this note that I express sincerely, my appreciation to God Almighty who is the source and origin of Wisdom, good health and of course all good things. I also thank the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Queen of Apostles and our Patroness for her maternal intercession for me and my dear Classmates throughout our years of studies in this great citadel of learning. I register my sincere gratitude to our dear proprietor, Most Rev Camillus R. Umoh, the Bishop of Ikot Ekpene Diocese for his constant care and support for us here in the Seminary.May I thank in a special way our amiable Rector, Very Rev. Fr. John Ekanem who admitted us in our first year and coincidentally, the first year of his rectorship into this prestigious institution. Dear Fr, it was the Lord's doing that we became your first fruits in this Seminary, you brought us up from the cradle and thought us morals and discipline. Thank you for being patient with us at the many times we erred. Indeed, your good virtues, so mixed in us have made us outstanding everywhere we have ever found ourselves both in spirituality, academics, sports and other social areas of life. God bless you. Thank you, the bursar, Rev Fr Maurice Asuquo and the Dean of Students' affairs, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Umanah for the show of love you expressed towards us. Be assured of our daily prayers, remain blessed. Thank you, the teaching staff, for the immense knowledge you have imparted in us and for working so hard to bring out the best in us. May the good Lord reward you bountifully. To all our non teaching staff especially the cooks we greatly appreciate your selflessness and dexterity. Thank you is not enough for all your sacrifices, but we pray God's bounteous blessings upon you.I cannot forget in a hurry, our formators (past and present) who midwifed our formation in accordance with the multivariate pillars of Seminary formation to become responsible personalities in the society. Since our admission into Queen of Apostles Seminary, we have had seasoned and cerebral set of auxiliaries who have made specific impacts on, and sacrifices for us; the most memorable being the excellent duo of Rev. Patrick Ukpe and Rev. Celestine Udoette who stopped at nothing to ensure that this set stood out in all ramifications. We will always hold you dear in our hearts.Henry Wisely once said; ‘coming together is a beginning, keeping together is a progress and working together is a success.’ As we look back over the last few years, certainly there was a beginning, thankfully there was also a progress and undeniably, we have been successful. Although it was not an easy journey, it was a journey made easy through hard work, discipline, and obedience. I therefore congratulate the graduands who have successfully completed their years of studies in the Seminary, and I urge you, my brothers to keep the flag flying even as you plunge into the society. Do not be intimidated by the ways of the world, rather keep your lights burning for even a spark of fire can illuminate the darkest night. Remember to remain true to the words of our Seminary anthem. Always be "good ambassadors of our beloved Alma mater." To our younger brothers and the next generation of ambassadors, we wish to encourage you to sit up and work hard until you reach your goal and achieve your dreams. Don’t be bothered by the difficult conditions you are passing through for it is only in a bid to mold you into the men you really are. If you ever think of giving up on your journey to greatness, always remember my words to you; the finest golds are molded in the hottest furnace.Furthermore, I thank our dear parents and guardians for selecting the best education option for your children and wards. Having passed through the thick and thins of this noble institution, I can assure you that your children will be the best in whatever area of life they find themselves. As we cross the Rubicon, I urge my fellow graduands to always remember that you are among the best students in the world, and you should make sure you put in your time and effort in whatever you do to achieve true success. Farewell and remember the words of Shakespeare, ‘’ if we do meet again, why, we shall smile if not this parting was well made.’’
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