Greatness comes only from service to others – Osinbajo counselsLead City University graduands

• Talent, excellent degree & well-off background alone not enough

Graduating with an excellent degree, even coming from a well-off family may not necessarily mean success and greatness but integrity and service to others is the key to greatness, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo who was Guest Speaker at the 10th Convocation Ceremony of Lead City University, Ibadan, said Nigerians must strive for the best and work hard to attain it despite the challenges and mistakes of the past.

According to Osinbajo, “you will only be great if you devote your life, and your efforts, to serving others. The path to greatness is self-sacrifice for the good of others. Success is more easily attainable than Greatness. Greatness is not for everyone.’’

Continuing the Vice President noted that “talent, an excellent degree, even coming from a well-off family does not mean success and certainly does not mean greatness. The most talented people, those who get the best degrees do not necessarily become the most successful in life.’’

He said the character is what makes the difference.

“The difference between success and failure, mediocrity or excellence is the character.  Along with character is the importance of opportunity. But perhaps most crucial is the grace of God.’’

Osinbajo also spoke about his experience while studying in the United Kingdom as an illustration of the usefulness of trust.

“As a young student at the London School of Economics and Political Science in 1980, my school fees were delayed in a particular term. So I spoke to the students’ counsellor in my faculty who asked me to go to the bank and ask for a loan.

“I asked how?  I owe over 600 pounds and I probably have only 50 pounds in the bank, where would I get the collateral to take the loan? Anyway, I went to the bank. I explained my problem.

“The lady across the counter asked for my name and brought out my ledger, saw I had no money. She asked me when I thought I could repay, I said maybe 6 weeks. She gave me a document that I signed and she gave me 600 pounds. I paid my fees and I paid back when my cheque came.

“But in the same U.K. in just a few years after, if you carried a

Nigerian passport the banks would not open an account for you because some Nigerians abused the trust that financial transactions require.”

“They used credit cards to buy cars, furniture, and electronics and ran back to Nigeria. In the past few years, many foreign banks have closed accounts of Nigerians because of the numerous attempts to defraud on those accounts.

However, according to Osinbajo, “the world is in search of the Nigerian of integrity, the trustworthy Nigerian to do business with or to employ,’’ noting that, “everyone wants faithful partners or employees.’’

He charged the graduating students to imbibe the virtues of hard work and integrity noting that “integrity pays and it doesn’t matter what you are hired as, a receptionist, a personal assistant no matter how low, the critical issue is that you must be known for your hard work and diligence. That is what will recommend you in the future.’’

Citing the example of Nigerians making waves in different sectors of the economy, Prof. Osinbajo urged the graduands to take advantage of technology noting that “Innovation will be key as you aspire to succeed. Here in Nigeria, many young people are using technology to disrupt existing assumptions and create new markets and opportunities.’’

Other dignitaries that attended the event include Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the founder of the university, Prof. Jide Owoeye, honorary graduands, Mr. Victor Osibodu and Mr. Kolade Mosuro and management of the institution among other notable Nigerians.