I have come to understand some things about dreams and why they are so important - they are real and they are a guide on the paths that lead to one's destiny.
I have heard so many stories of how people had dreams of achieving a particular feat while they were yet young, and they went on later in life to do much more than they imagined. I don't want to go on and on about this for now but I will sure return to share about the importance of dreams and their impact in helping you get to where you desire.
I recently had my graduation ceremony after working hard to obtain a degree in MSc Electrical Power from Newcastle University, UK. To God's glory, I triumphed and I am thankful to God, my friends and family without whom my success story becomes incomplete.
Before you say I didn't invite you for the graduation, relax! Graduation ceremonies in Obodo Oyinbo (White man's land) is not a gele-tying – well, with the exception of my mom who tied gele – and boxes-of-rice-and-drink-surplus occasion. In fact the whole event lasted about 45 minutes and the reception that followed only had snacks, fruits, tea and drinks offered to guests and graduates.
Wait! Did I mention my Professor made a comment about liking my mom's hat? I couldn't help but laugh within me. Well, technically speaking, a gele is a type of hat. If I can't prove it, I know my professor can!
Before I go on and on about the ceremony, and make this article excessively long, I'll talk about the Student Orator's speech of the day. A Student Orator is the graduating student given the opportunity to give an uplifting speech during the ceremony. I was privileged to be given the role. I was allotted 5 minutes to deliver the speech so I had to make it as concise and relevant as possible. I personally feel the speech could have been better if I had more time but then, the shorter the better.
Anyway, here is the speech below and this is the link to watch the video of the entire ceremony. Graduation Ceremony Video
******************************** SPEECH **********************************
Graduates, guests and
esteemed scholars of Newcastle University.
I am thankful for the
opportunity to address you today on behalf of my fellow graduating students.
I believe dreams are a
window through which we can have a view of the future we would like to feature
in. Coming to Newcastle University is a proof of this as I had actually seen
myself through my dream window studying for an MSc degree in a UK university
over a decade ago.
As my dream was becoming
reality, the window became covered in mist: the mist of financial support as I
almost wouldn’t have made it here were I not to have received the Newcastle
University Nigeria Scholarship; the mist of doubt and wonder if I’ll ever meet
the standards of a top-ranking global university and the mist of coping outside
the shores of the only environment I know as home. I never gave up on wiping
off that mist so as to retain my vision through this dream window and that’s
why I’m here today.
The past year studying
with different people of different backgrounds gave me the opportunity to
learn, relearn and unlearn. We shared ideas on different issues as we spent
long hours either sitting behind computers in cluster rooms or in the library
devouring textbooks and lecture notes. We pitched our tents in different corners
in the library, sometimes ate our meals with one eye whilst trying to read
through a book with the other.
We also learned and
experimented beyond the walls of our lecture rooms. I personally learned to try
out new dishes as I dined with my friends from different parts of the world. I
would greet my Chinese friends saying, “nín hǎo,” and thank them by saying “xiè xie.” It is only when they want to keep talking in Chinese they
realise I had literally exhausted my Chinese vocabulary. All of these experiences have formed
who we are today.
Having now graduated, I
reflect upon my time here at Newcastle University and how much impact it will
have in my future undertakings. I may have doubts as to where the paths I
choose to tread may lead me and I am sure the same applies to some of my fellow
graduating students seated here. One reassuring quote that clears that doubt,
ironically, is printed on the Hadrian Bridge linking Robinsons Library which I
have always walked past throughout the year without understanding. It reads,
“Listen - Time may sing you like spring, leaves, where ever you are and spin
you there. Inside out.”
I still do not fully
understand the quote but it inspired a few thoughts: If time swings you to
pursue your Ph.D., be the one to have that ground-breaking achievement that will
contribute to the technological advancement of humanity. If you are spun to
starting your own company, spin the industry to make a lasting impression; and
if you’re taking a dream job, be the change agent in that organisation. As Earl
Nightingale once said, “Don’t let the fear of the time it will take to
accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass
anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use.”
Mists may cover our dream
windows in forms of disappointments, lack of opportunities, failures and
set-backs but we must remain focused on where we want to be and not where we
temporarily find ourselves. We must take up similar mottos to that of Walt
Disney as he famously said, “Around here, however, we don’t look backwards for
very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things,
because we’re curious… and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”
Many of us may have come
here to Newcastle University to get a degree but we have gotten more than we
bargained for. Our curiosity have led us down the paths of greater challenges
and it has made us better versions of ourselves. We have been intellectually
and academically moulded, morally equipped, socially and culturally empowered.
These are the tools required to face our individual futures and we must make
the best use of them. Our global perspectives have been changed and we have
taken up new dreams. To achieve these dreams, we must keep moving forward. We
are only allowed to look back for one reason – not for regret, but to remember
the lessons we have learned and how they can help shape our future.
Wherever our dreams take
us from here, Newcastle University and all the people gathered here today will form
a huge part of the success we achieve. We owe that success to our friends
seated here today. We owe it to the supportive lecturers who imparted knowledge
in us. And more importantly, we owe it to our families who have not only held
our hands through this journey but are here today to share of our success and
joy. And for these, we will remain eternally grateful.
And finally, to my fellow graduating students: I will like to see the
parchments we receive today as passports. Passports to visit our future and
explore the options life has to offer – the attractions and the beauty that
aligns with our passions, goals and aspirations in life. As we march on in this journey of life, I implore you to keep
dreaming and always give your best shot when every opportunity to achieve your
dreams comes knocking. Remain curious and there will be no bounds to what you
can achieve. As Zig Ziglar said, “If you can dream it, you can achieve it.”
Thank you very much.
***************************** END OF SPEECH *****************************
