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Former Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi and the Senator representing Abia North Zone, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe have charged students on the need for hard work and maintaining integrity.
The duo stated this during the 2025/2026 matriculation ceremony of Shanahan University, at the Holy Basilica, Onitsha, Anambra State.
The ceremony witnessed the matriculation of a whopping 694 students of the institution in the two year old university, with the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Rev. Fr. Prof. Josephat Oguejiofor assuring that the institution is set for quality education,
Oguejiofor noted that the standard set by the management is high and he also hopes to attain it.
Speaking to the matriculating students, Obi and Abaribe charged them to aim for the top and make hardwork their watchword.
Obi said: “I have always told this story, I was born here in Onitsha, and I attended Waterside Primary School over there, then I proceeded to Christ the King College, here in Onitsha too. If there was a university in Onitsha, I would have attended one here. You are lucky we have universities in Onitsha today.
“I want to charge you all to take your education seriously. I’m where I am today because of education. I remember when Gen. Gowon was Head of State, and he visited Onitsha, and I was one of the primary school children who went to receive him. But later in life, I and Gowon started sitting on the same table. That is what education can do. I charge you to take your education seriously.”
Abaribe who was the keynote speaker at the event harped on the need for young people to strike to have integrity, shun the get-rich-quick syndrome and embrace hardwork.
He said: “As young people, you must endeavour to steer clear of the many shiny, but temporary paths to success which have become so pervasive in our society today.
“I promise you, none of these paths will last; rather in a short while, you will be left with nothing but regrets. The paths I warn you to desist from include “YahooYahoo”, other social media-influenced immorality, cultism, political sycophancy and boot-licking.
“These are not sustainable pathways. What these can offer you is temporary gratification, which suddenly fizzles into an emptiness that reveals a lack of value. Embrace excellence in character and academics. Together, they equip you to succeed in the world and make definitive impact as leaders.”
Obi, Abaribe charge students on hard work as Shanahan varsity matriculates 694 students
