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FCT NUJ Chair Grace Ike Charges Graduands to Be Solution Providers, Choose Character Over Certificates
FCT NUJ Chair Grace Ike Charges Graduands to Be Solution Providers, Choose Character Over Certificates
By: Michael Mike
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, has challenged graduating students of Beautiful Beginning Academy (BBA) to become solution providers, build bridges rather than walls and choose character, integrity and service over certificates and material success.
Ike gave the charge at the weekend while delivering the keynote address as Guest Speaker at the 2026 graduation ceremony of Beautiful Beginning Academy, held at Nile University, Abuja.
Addressing the graduands, the NUJ chairman said the ceremony should not be viewed as an end, but as the beginning of a new journey filled with purpose, responsibility and possibilities.
She urged them to understand that academic achievement, though important, would not by itself determine their success in life, stressing that character would ultimately define their reputation and impact.
According to her, while examinations in the classroom may have ended, life would continue to test the values and principles of the graduands.
“The examinations that truly matter are not set by teachers but by life itself. They test honesty, courage, discipline, resilience, compassion and integrity,” she said.
Ike noted that knowledge without strong moral values was insufficient, adding that certificates and academic achievements could open doors, but character would determine how long individuals remained relevant and trusted.
“The questions life asks are not answered with pencils; they are answered with character.
“Knowledge may make you intelligent, but character will make you unforgettable. Long after people forget your grades, they will remember your integrity. Long after certificates gather dust, your reputation will continue to speak for you,” she said.
She also encouraged the graduands not to be discouraged by setbacks, describing failure as an inevitable part of the journey to success.
“There will be days when life will not go according to your plans. You may fail an examination, lose an opportunity, face disappointment or experience rejection.
“When those moments come, remember this: failure is not the opposite of success; it is often the road that leads to it,” she said.
The NUJ chairman urged the students to remain curious, cultivate the habit of reading, respect others, choose their friends wisely and maintain confidence in their abilities.
She further challenged them to become agents of positive change who would use their knowledge and opportunities to improve the lives of others.
“Success is not measured by how much money you make but by how many lives become better because you lived. Success may fill your pocket, but significance fills your purpose. Service earns respect. Character earns trust. Legacy earns remembrance,” Ike said.
She paid tribute to parents for their sacrifices and support in the education of the graduands, while commending the teachers and management of Beautiful Beginning Academy for their commitment to quality education, mentorship and the development of future leaders.
The ceremony also featured a powerful demonstration of the transformative impact of inclusive education and compassion, with Adaeze’s scholarship emerging as one of the defining moments of the event.
The scholarship, which opened a new door of opportunity for a child with special needs, underscored the importance of creating an inclusive society where every child is given the opportunity to learn, grow and fulfil his or her potential.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Board of Beautiful Beginning Academy, Sir Chinasaokwu Innocent Okolie, charged the graduands to be good ambassadors of the school, stressing that the world was waiting for their contributions and exploits as future leaders.
He urged them to uphold the values they had acquired in the institution and to approach the future with courage, discipline and a strong sense of responsibility.
FCT NUJ Chair Grace Ike Charges Graduands to Be Solution Providers, Choose Character Over Certificates
Seven ISWAP Fighters’ Family Members, 12 Children Flee Yaganari Enclave, Surrender to Troops
By Zagazola Makama
Seven family members of suspected terrorists, accompanied by 12 children, have surrendered to troops of Operation HADIN KAI at Mafa in Borno State, following reported hunger and violent clashes among rival terrorist factions.
According to sources, the seven women surrendered at about 5 p.m. on Aug. 17 to troops of 112 Task Force Battalion deployed in Mafa.
The women were identified as Falamatai Modu, 30; Kelu Yaga, 25; Fada Yaga, 30; Gwaya Kadi, 25; Hauwa Mallam, 25; Maryam Yusuf, 25; and Fanna Kadi, 40.
They were accompanied by 12 children, aged between three months and 10 years.
Preliminary interrogation revealed that the women escaped from the Yaganari terrorist enclave due to hunger and concerns over their safety following violent clashes between rival terrorist factions.
The report said the escapees were profiled and documented by the troops and would be handed over to the 24 Task Force Brigade Military Intelligence Regiment for further action.
The development highlights the increasing pressure on terrorist enclaves in the North-East, where sustained military operations and internal factional clashes continue to disrupt the groups’ activities and survival networks.
The military authorities said the general security situation across the theatre remained calm but unpredictable, while troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remained satisfactory.
Seven ISWAP Fighters’ Family Members, 12 Children Flee Yaganari Enclave, Surrender to Troops
Again, Military Neutralise 8 ISWAP Fighters in Precision Airstrike in Timbuktu Triangle
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have neutralised eight suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in a precision airstrike at Thethangala, within the Timbuktu Triangle of Borno State.
According to a Special Situation Report obtained by Zagazola Makama, the operation followed intelligence on terrorist activities in the area.
The report said a Guardian aircraft established overhead at Thethangala at about 9:56 p.m. on Aug. 18 and subsequently sighted eight terrorists who had converged and were lying in wait, apparently preparing to attack troops at their location.
Following the sighting, the aircraft conducted a precision strike on the identified terrorists.
“Battle Damage Assessment shows all the terrorists neutralised with no further movement observed after the strike,” the report stated.
The military said the general security situation remained calm but unpredictable, while the morale and fighting efficiency of troops remained satisfactory.
The latest air operation is part of sustained intelligence-led efforts by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI to disrupt terrorist concentrations and prevent planned attacks against troops operating in the North-East.
The Timbuktu Triangle remains one of the areas where terrorist groups have continued to seek opportunities to regroup and launch attacks against military positions.
Again, Military Neutralise 8 ISWAP Fighters in Precision Airstrike in Timbuktu Triangle
NTTF VP Mailantarki tasks stakeholders on grassroots development
The Vice President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Honourable Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, has commended the sponsor of the Senior Advocate Cup, Muhammed Sani Ndanusa (SAN), urging more stakeholders to emulate his profound passion for grassroots talent development across Northern Nigeria and the nation at large.
Hon. Mailantarki gave the commendation in a press statement issued on Tuesday by his media aide, Mr Adamu Usman Ahmed.
Mailantarki while speaking during the closing ceremony of the highly anticipated tournament congratulated the various winners across the different categories of Men Singles, Junior Single and the veterans.
The NTTF VP thrilled the audience at the Kaduna Police Officers’ Mess Indoor Sport hall with an exciting developmental announcement.
He revealed that the two finalists of the Junior Singles category have been selected for a special performance camping program at his prestigious Table Tennis Academy in Abuja. Based on their performance at the camp, they stand the chance of securing full sponsorship to an upcoming international youth championship.
The 6th edition of the championship witnessed spectacular displays of talents. In the elite category, Abayomi Martins from Borno State delivered a stellar performance to take home the overall winner’s prize, leaving Kamal Muktar of Kano State to settle for the runner-up medal.
In the fiercely contested Junior category, the host state’s Mustapha Muktar (Kaduna) triumphed over Taraba State’s Harrison Jacob to clinch the ultimate prize.
Looking to the future, Hon. Mailantarki assured fans and players that similar grassroots and elite developmental championships would be organized in other states to ensure the continuous discovery and nurturing of table tennis talents in the country.
NTTF VP Mailantarki tasks stakeholders on grassroots development
Seven ISWAP Fighters’ Family Members, 12 Children Flee Yaganari Enclave, Surrender to Troops
Again, Military Neutralise 8 ISWAP Fighters in Precision Airstrike in Timbuktu Triangle
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