Top personalities who witnessed the passing out and graduation parade at the Navy Secondary School in Borokiri, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, South-South Nigeria, at the weekend concluded that the way the Navy trains students may be the rescue pillar for Nigeria.
From the governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara who was represented by the Commissioner of Education, Dr Ovy Chinedum Chukwuma, to the stand-in chairman of the event, Dr Vincent Ekpeyong (Founder/CEO, Kenyon International West Africa Ltd) as well as the Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, who is the CEO of the Housing and Construction Mayor Ltd, all voices said the Navy seems to hold the key to Nigeria’s leadership deficiency.
Rivers State government went the full hog to say they would consider adopting the approach to run public boarding schools in the state. This, the government explained, is because of the high discipline and character excellence needed in public boarding schools in the state.
The state government said through Dr Chukwuma that would not only model the Navy college but would recommend it to go beyond the state to all of Nigeria because of the many problems of leadership and discipline it may solve.
He said: “I wish all Nigerian children pass through this level of discipline and grooming. This is the right foundation of any nation, a college system that drills the students into high discipline, character, and best practices of doing things. I am happy this school is in Rivers State. It is very neat and well-ordered with neat compound.”
Chukwuma went on: “We will model this and we will partner with the school authority to find ways of supporting this school as we get our system to work with the lessons from here.”
He assured them that the state government would partner with the Navy system because of the kind of man the governor is. “He has a good heart. He will support good ideas that can help the children of Rivers State.”
The commissioner said the performance on display was overwhelming and spectacular. “The performance is heartwarming especially the display of discipline, character, and precision.”
In his main speech, he said the governor has big interest in education which is one of the top priorities of the administration.
“The doors of the Ministry of Education are open to deepen the good results of the Navy school and develop the model around the state.”
Another strong voice that endorsed the Navy school system for all Nigeria is the real estate investor, Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, who was moved to donating N1.35m to promote the ideals of the Navy school.
He said every right-thinking Nigerian who made it to the venue would surely be elated at what was on display on Saturday.
He talked about the three remaining pillars of the Nigerian society, the military, the missionary, and the judiciary, saying the military is at the top. “So, the military is very important in the survival of Nigeria and in resisting attacks on the fabrics of the nation’s defence mechanism.”
His words: “I have a personal view that the Military, the Missionary, and the Judiciary are the last pillars of the society, the last hope of character formation in the society.
“One of my best quotes is from Mahatma Ghandi (India) who mentioned seven things that can destroy any society: Wealth without work; Politics without principles; Business without ethics; Education without character; and Religion without sacrifice.
“When you go through those seven things you will see that they are the simplified seven pillars of any thriving society. We have been breeding a generation of youths that seek wealth without work; and who seek education without character.
“Some of the places you form character are those places I mentioned: Military, Missionary, and Judiciary. The military forms the base of character called Discipline; Missionaries form the base of character called Spirituality or spiritual Discipline; and the Judiciary forms the basis of character called keen sense of justice.
“With keen sense of justice, with discipline, and with spirituality, there is no character anywhere that would not be world class.
The commandant of the college, Chinonso Edna Omezurike, told the graduands to understand that: “You are the torchbearers of our legacy, and the hope and aspirations of the entire school. The world is evolving fast, and it is through thirst for knowledge and a willingness to adapt that you will stay ahead.”
She gave account of the many awards the school wins and the pride it has brought to the Navy.
The chairman on the day, Dr Ekpenyong, who has been boosting development at the Navy school said the students there were being prepared to rescue the nation from woes.
“I support this school because more leaders are needed. The problem of Nigeria will only be solved by Nigerians. It will never come from the moon or from other nations. Every nation is solving its own problems.
“These students we see here today will go very far in life. They will go higher.
“Parents are advised to read the souvenir (brochure) to understand may things and the processes their children underwent as well as the philosophy of the Navy school.”
The Deputy Commandant of the Navy Secondary School, Port Harcourt, located in Borokiri, Commander Mohammed I. Abubakar, said the Military has a system of discipline which cannot be deviated from. He also made it clear that it is not easy to groom human beings.
“You saw it yourself. We can only thank God almighty for keeping us alive to witness this kind of event. It is not easy to groom a human being, and it takes a lot of sacrifice.
“Today, you can see it here. We can only say, to God be the glory.”
The senior prefects (boy and girl) also spoke through their statements in the brochure. The senior prefect, Boy, Stephen Diver Emmanuel, said: “I will love to encourage all my juniors to always focus on their studies, be of good behaviour, and most importantly, be yourself. No one loves you and knows you more than yourself. So, do allow any situation or anybody make you act like someone you are not.
“Also, I will remind my mates that this is just the beginning of the journey. Let us not forget to keep our eyes on the prize and remain focused no matter what.”
On her own, the senior prefect, girl, Chinyere Winner Ijeoma, recalled the journey which she said began on September 23, 2018 till today, July 20, 2024. “It has been a wonderful and fun-filled adventure in which strong relationships were built and memories created.
“I believe that relationships formed in secondary school are everlasting and they are the bedrocks for other relationships. It was all like a dream, we overcame many obstacles and in all, we made it.
“Eventually, we are going to face the real world. If we put God first in everything we do, work hard, and be steadfast in prayers, we shall flourish.”
She urged the students to take their studies seriously. “Yes, challenges will surely come. It is inevitable and nobody is above it, but it is up to you to overcome it.”
The day began with parade of the ‘Colour Party’. The moderators explained the significance, saying: “It is a very significant parade which tries to capture the importance of doing everything in the battlefield to protect the colour of the country’s army or the wing of the command fighting in the battle.
“In the school, the colours are carried by the students with the most impeccable records from start to graduation. They are the elite squad of the school. There must be no stain on their records. The Colour Party is commanded by Ogale De Great who was born in Isoko North LGA of Delta State.”
Out of the 193 students, 63 were females. Their parents showed huge happiness. Some parents said their children that had earlier graduated from the school made excellent grades in the universities and are professionals today.
The Commandant said the alumni would converge sometime soon to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the school.