Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo has urged secondary school students in Ogun State to combine good character with academic excellence in order to succeed in school and in life.

He gave the advice at the Obasanjo Back-to-School Project organised by the Youth Development Centre of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta on Tuesday.

Obasanjo, represented by Emeritus Professor Peter Okebukola, stressed that academic brilliance without good character is not enough. He encouraged the students to face their studies seriously, develop a strong reading habit and spend less time on smartphones and social media distractions.

He advised them not to be discouraged by difficult subjects such as Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics. Instead, he said they should study harder and keep trying until the material becomes clearer. He also told them to read widely, including biographies, history and newspapers, so they can learn from both success and failure.

At the event, organised in partnership with Providus Unity Bank, about 100 secondary school students selected from six local government areas received school bags, notebooks, socks, pens and other stationery. The programme also included a pep talk, games and a career talk.

Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Abayomi Arigbabu, commended the centre for supporting indigent students. Officials of the Youth Development Centre said the project was designed to ease the burden of starting a new academic session for selected students and encourage them to remain focused on their education.

Photo credit: Punch Newspaper