Integrity would take the youth beyond their academic qualifications

The importance of upholding one’s integrity was emphasised to students and youths in Nigeria.

This was at the 3rd Distinguished Lectures Series of the Lagos State University (LASU).

Speaking on the theme, “Market imperatives: Re-thinking soft skills in a highly competitive world”, guest lecturers highlighted the importance of soft skills in achieving one’s future aspirations.

The event was chaired Justice Amina Augie of the Supreme Court of Nigeria who affirmed that success in careers and life, without compromising acceptable behaviours, is good and desirable but always comes with big price in the form of commitment and sacrifice.

She further advised the students to be known for integrity in any path they take in life as they would not be physically present when their fate on any issue of relevance like an appointment to positions would be decided by others.

Citing an example of herself, she said eight out of nine senators who screened her for her current office had come across her and many as their former teacher.

“I couldn’t recognise them and so imagine what would have happened if my integrity was questionable or I had done badly to them or did not do my work the way I should back then.

“So, lay a solid foundation for yourself and that will help you to survive the test of time as the world is global and increasingly competitive.”

The trio are Chief Executive of Polaris Bank, Mr Adetokunbo Abiru, former Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mrs Funke Adekoya, and an expert in social work, Mrs Bountiful Adelanwa, enlightened the students based on various perspectives of the theme.

According to them, the world is increasingly competitive by the day and not only at workplaces but across strata of life and it, therefore, required that the youth, especially in the universities, need to adequately prepare, equip and sustain themselves with soft skills that would help them to become most preferred in the crowd.

Describing soft skills as personal attributes for effective interactions with others at all levels, they listed honesty, integrity, work ethics, good character, dependability, team spirit, responsibility, diligence and so forth as major soft skills they need to acquire and make as a way of life in order to remain relevant at workplaces either as employees or self-employed and in other legitimate endeavours.

They said, though, obtaining excellent grades in school- in form of certificates- is good and rewarding, it lacks the capability to solely take the owners- even if helps to get the job-far in life if soft skills are lacking.

“That is why for me, honesty remains the best policy for man’s greatness in life,” Mrs Adekoya stressed.

“Because honesty will not only make people identify with you, your products and service but will also help you to easily exhibit other good attitudinal traits.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of LASU, Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun, said the aim of the distinguished lecture series was for students to learn from experience sharing of the high profile individuals, who have against all odds and without cutting corners, distinguished themselves in their chosen fields and life generally.

“We want our students to see the distinguished lecturers as role models as they share their personal experiences especially from nobody to celebrities and the efforts are yielding great results,” he noted.

Mr Fagbohun, a law professor, also warned students against cutting corners towards achieving success.

He affirmed the university’s determination to continue producing globally competitive graduates.

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