Kunle Adelabu
Miss Nkechi Alexandra Kingsley, a student of the department of Chemical Engineering Technology, School of Engineering, Lagos State Polytechnic and the Overall Best Student for the 2020 Convocation, stated that she achieved the honour of being the Valedictorian through blood, sweat and tears.
The Valedictorian, who scored Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.93 on a scale of 4.0 to emerged the best student, disclosed this in an interview with THE IMPACT at the 27th joint Convocation ceremony of 2017/18 and 2018/19 academic sessions of the Lagos State Polytechnic held at the Convocation Ground on the main campus of the institution in Ikorodu on Thursday, March 12, 2020.
Nkechi, who was supposed to go home with prize money of N100, 000 eventually received N250, 000 on the order of the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu who reviewed the sum on the convocation ground.
She was also offered job opportunity and access to the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) if she is willing to access it for investment.
Nkechi stated that she made the decision to be the best after emerging as the second best overall in his National Diploma (ND).
“I was the second overall best in my ND programme and coming back to the school for my HND, I made up my mind to be the best overall student. From my first semester, I worked hard and literally used all my strength. It was blood, sweat and tears”, she revealed.
“I work hard and my lecturers were helpful and supportive. LASPOTECH being a school that values intellectual ability made her students work hard especially in my department”.
Describing her status as the cynosure of all eyes at the convocation ceremony, Nkechi stated that :
“I feel greatly to God because this is something that I have been praying and working for.
“I will accept the job offer but I will still have to think over the offer of the governor for LSTF loan”, she said.
In her valedictory speech, she stated that she accepted to speak on behalf of all the graduating students with deep sense and humility.
“It is with deep sense and humility that I accept the privilege and honour bestowed on me to make the valedictory speech on behalf of all 2017/18 and 2018/2019 graduands of the Polytechnic on this milestone occasion of 27th joint convocation ceremony of Lagos State Polytechnic, the polytechnic of excellence in the state of aquatic splendor.
“The journey of a thousand years begins in one day. We sincerely appreciate the God Almighty for his mercies and protections over us all throughout our staying in the polytechnic which is now ranked 5th best polytechnic in Nigeria”.
The best graduating student was full of praises for the academic and non-academic staff of the institutions for imparting sound academic and moral standard in them,
She also thanked the state government for creating an enabling environment for learning in the institution which, according to her, has produced well skilled and groomed students that are well equipped for the labor market.
Nkechi also requested that the Governor should construct pedestrian bridges at the two entrances into the institution to safeguard lives of students and staff of the school.
“It is in this regard that we humbly request you sir to kindly facilitate the construction of pedestrian bridges at the entrances into the Polytechnic” .
