By Ken Meju
Alumni, graduating students
Titare Star Academy Group of Schools, Port Harcourt recently rolled out the drums to mark a major landmark in its history, the graduation of its 25th senior secondary school set.
The very well packaged event attracted alumni of the pioneer private secondary school in Rivers State who came in from different locations within and outside the state, parents, well- wishers as well as goodwill messages from some key personalities.
Special guest of honour, HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo, Agada iv, Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, Bayelsa State told the graduating students that their future is guaranteed because of the antecedent of the founder/proprietress and success story of those before them.
“Your history makes it clear your future is guaranteed. You recognize a tree from the fruit it bears. This institution has graduated students 24 times, it has borne excellent fruits. It has sent out 24 sets of students and is still grooming students. You are history makers.
“Others that started with your school 32 years have gone extinct. Your history makes it clear your future is guaranteed-24 sets doing well everywhere in the world is good your success is assured. Know what is going on. These are strange times and we must strive and up our game.
“Do things slightly differently to make a difference. Dare to dream; be strongly different, express yourself to stand out of a large crowd. Nigeria needs good ideas. We are not enough here, there is insecurity, we are waiting for you. It is those who dare to be different that aspire to be excellent.
“You can be anything. You can be better than your predecessors. I want to see all of you new and old as successful fellows”, he charged the graduands.
The monarch applauded parents who have patronized the school over the years and specially thanked the staff of Titare Academy for providing an excellent atmosphere for learners.
According to him, as he drove into the school, he “inhaled the aroma of success all over the premises”.
In her motivation charge, an alumni of the school, then Bereton College, advised the out-going students to plan for success by paying now to play later in life. Titling her message , “Today Is All You Have: pay now, play later,” she advised, “Make use of choices, be focused, put God first, read, develop, be positive, be confident and take action”.
King Alfred Diete-Spiff in his address, congratulated the graduating students and announced that a full-fledged maritime university will soon spring up in Bayelsa State. He said plans are almost concluded for the project which he said will create more opportunities for the people and the graduates of Titare Academy.
He also assured the graduands of admission into Novena University, Ogume, Delta State, a partner institution with Titare.
The monarch who, is also chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, also urged those interested in the institution to go ahead.
The Twon Brass king gave kudos to the proprietress of the school, Queen (Dr) Josephine Diete-Spiff for keeping his dream of providing quality, enviable and affordable education to the people, and extolled her abilities for rendering high standard services reflective in the administration of the school and expressed confidence she would do more to position the school to compete favourably with its counterparts in other parts of the world.
He was full of praises for pioneer graduates of the school, then Bereton Academy, for becoming pace-setters evidenced by their varied positions and responsibilities in the society.
The School Senior Prefect (male) in his valedictory speech said the school has been a learning ground full of memories.
“It’s been a journey, time well spent. We made mistakes and learnt from them. I cherished every moment. I will go and share learning, impact society and make a difference”, he promised.
The celebration which was marked with a luncheon dinner featured displays by the students, presentation of prizes to best performing students and staff as well as the presentation of chairs by …Class of the Alumni for the ICT room.
In her remark, proprietress of Titare Academy, HRM Dr. (Mrs.) Josephine Diete- Spiff said the school which started as Bereton College 32 years ago has stood the test of time and recorded success.
According to her, the school has produced 50 medical doctors, 10 pilots, many professionals, bankers, engineers, pastors; one colonel , one navy captain, PA to the Speaker House of Representatives, state legislator, among others.
She said there is, “no excuse to commit crime” as the students have been groomed for success and discipline. It has been 32 years of excellent existence and she has been the proprietress of the school in the last 20 years, pushing to advance the school through enhanced personal development and technological investment.
The wife of the Amayanabo of Twon Brass and pioneer governor of Rivers State thanked His Majesty, King Alfred Diete-Spiff who, is the school’s visional for the opportunity to grow young minds.
“Titare is multi-dimensional and affiliated to Convenant Academy, it combines audio visual and e-learning and has continued to dominate the academic landscape while adding something yearly to make a difference”, the queen stated.
“Titare offers enhanced learning and full class management .Titare is a reflection of success impacting new ideas to our growing minds”, she added.
She congratulated Class 2019 and charged, “Prove we have invested in you, character and learning. Don’t lose focus. We have impacted you with boldness, don’t lose it. Hold on to yourself”.
