Canadian Gateway Schools, Okota, Lagos, celebrated academic excellence and leadership development at its fifth Valedictory and Graduation Ceremony, where graduating students were honoured for outstanding achievements and prepared for the next phase of their educational journey.
The event, held on July 18, 2026, revolved around the theme, “Think Globally and Lead Boldly,” bringing together parents, teachers, alumni and distinguished guests to reflect on the academic growth, character development and leadership potential of the graduating class.
Delivering his welcome address, the Chairman of Canadian Gateway Schools, Dr. Hon. Timothy Awogbemi, said the theme perfectly reflected the institution’s guiding philosophy of “Raising Global Leaders for a Better World.” He reaffirmed the school’s commitment to producing confident, disciplined and globally competitive students equipped to thrive anywhere in the world.
Awogbemi noted that the institution remains focused on nurturing intellectual excellence while developing leadership qualities through a balanced combination of academics, innovation and extracurricular activities. According to him, the school is determined to build resilient young people capable of overcoming challenges and creating lasting impact in society.
He further stressed that today’s interconnected world demands students who understand diverse cultures, embrace global citizenship and develop the courage to think beyond national boundaries. Such qualities, he said, would enable them to seize emerging opportunities and contribute meaningfully to global development.
In her keynote address, Dr. Mrs. Oluwaloseyi Popogbe of the Department of Economics, University of Lagos, challenged the graduating students to become agents of transformation by embracing innovation, creativity and responsible leadership. She encouraged them to see every challenge as an opportunity to make a positive difference.
Popogbe observed that advances in artificial intelligence, digital technology and entrepreneurship have created limitless possibilities for young people, irrespective of geographical location. She urged the graduates to leverage technology, critical thinking and innovation to solve real world problems while maintaining integrity and compassion.
Highlighting global issues such as climate change, economic transformation and automation, she maintained that the future belongs to young leaders willing to embrace change, adapt quickly and provide practical solutions that improve lives across communities and nations.
The ceremony also featured the presentation of awards to outstanding students across several academic and leadership categories. Outgoing Head Girl, Miss Ramat Lawal, expressed appreciation to God, the management and teachers for instilling discipline, hard work, selflessness and respect, describing the school as a place that transformed students into responsible future leaders. Outgoing Head Boy, Master Bryan Okechukwu, equally commended the school’s chairman and teachers for creating an enabling environment that inspired excellence and personal growth.
Parents and guardians joined the celebrations as graduates received gifts and recognition for their accomplishments. Many parents praised the school’s management and staff for their unwavering commitment to quality education, moral values and holistic development, saying the remarkable academic progress and social confidence displayed by their children reflected the institution’s enduring culture of excellence.