Statement by President of SLAJ, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, as Distinguished Guest Speaker at the Inauguration Ceremony of St. Augustine Old Students Association (SAOSA) in Lungi
Date: Saturday, 23rd January, 2021
Time: 2pm
Venue: St. Augustine Secondary School compound, Lungi.
Good afternoon everyone,
I am honoured and excited to be here with you as your Guest Speaker for the induction of St. Augustine Old Students Association new executive members.
It is wonderful to see a mix of many ex-students of the school, current students, teachers, principals and parents gathered at this important event and I want to commend the pioneers for a wonderful work in putting this together.
Ladies and Gentlemen, life is a journey. It starts from birth and ends with death. In between that period, we go through many phases and acquire skills and experiences. The road is never smooth; it is always by the grace of God that we find ourselves where we are.
Today you see me as the President of SLAJ, but I did not just wake up and run from being a small child, to be an adult and then become President of SLAJ. I went through struggles, I jumped over hurdles, but all along I wanted to be somebody in life. And I realised half way through that the way to success in this life is education. That is what we all need to go through this journey of life.
*Personal experience*
Let me briefly share with you the journey of this man you see standing before you today.
Unlike most of you, if not all of you, I am a product of three secondary schools: St Edward’s Secondary School, Kingtom; Ahmadiyya Muslim Secondary School, Kissy Dockyard and Albert Academy (UMC), Berry Street.
In Form IV at St Edward’s I was expelled. Then I left school and took to the streets for two years; bad company, gambling and the rest of it. One day I realized that that was not who I wanted to be in life. So I decided to return home, and I got enrolled at Ahmadiyya starting at Form III. I sat my GCE O’levels and went to Albert Academy where I completed my sixth form and proceeded to Fourah Bay College to study Journalism. I was among the first batch of graduands of Mass Communication Department, FBC, in 2004/5 with BA Hons First Class.
From the University I went straight into practice, and for the past 15 years or so I have established myself as a professional journalist. And today, I am the President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ).
This goes to reiterate my point earlier that life is a journey, and the decision of who you want to be in life rests with you. The school is always there to help you take the right path. So get an education. It is the most important asset in life.
*Importance of education;*
But what is this education?
We often hear people say *‘Education is the Key’* and we know, a key opens doors. There’s no better way to put it. Education is the key that will open the door to the future you desire.
In other words, education is about the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and moral habits that will help you achieve your goals in life. With proper and good education, you are not only enhancing your personal self, but also your family, community and your relationship with others. You will be able to solve problems and contribute to the success of your family, community and your country.
If you want to become a doctor to be able to help people who are sick in your community, you have to acquire the knowledge and skills to do so through education.
If you want to become a journalist to be able to provide information to your people to help them know what is happening at all levels of society and help them make informed decisions, you have to acquire the education to do so.
If you want to become a lawyer to help settle disputes in your community and promote justice for all, you have to seek first the education to be able to do so.
If you want to become an Engineer to be able to construct buildings and build automobiles, you have to be educated to do so.
So good education is very important for all of us.
*Study and work hard*
However, to achieve your goals in life through education requires students to study and work hard.
The famous poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said:
*“The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.”*
Study hard. Put in the extra hours. Go the extra mile. Challenge yourself that you can do better. And stay focus on your life goal.
It is not as easy as I have just said it. I know what it means to be studying at night, when heavy rain is falling. It takes strength of mind to not close your books and jump into your bed covering all your head to sleep. I was there right! I suffered it too. But it is part of the journey.
In addition to your determination, you will need support to go through. And that is where your parents, family members and even your community come in.
*Role of Parents/Guardians*
Somebody said: *“The more I go through parenting, the more I owe an apology to my parents.”*
To get us to where we are today as successful adults, our parents made a lot of sacrifices for which we would never be able to pay them back. Only God is able to recompense them.
Some parents sleep hungry to ensure their children have food. Some bear the brunt of the sun and the harsh strokes of the rains, trading petty items to ensure their children stay in school. Even rich families have to work hard in their offices to earn enough to ensure their children get a good education.
As students you must realise and appreciate the troubles your parents go through to keep you in school, college and university and let that serve as your motivation to study and work harder to become successful and make them proud.
Every time I pray, I never forget to thank God for where I came from and where I am today, and all the hands that have contributed towards that. Those hands might not only be your parents or guardians. There are family members, relatives, family friends, community members; your teachers, religious elders- they all play their part.
You should always remember this as you pursue your individual careers in life.
*Choosing the right careers*
This brings me to the importance of choosing the right careers.
As students you begin to develop the ambition of who or what you want to become after University. You begin to make that important decision now. You have to be clear about what career you want to pursue in life and start working towards it from now, at this stage.
You want to be a politician; start to aspire for leadership positions in your student affairs.
You want to be an activist; start advocating for students’ rights in your school in a responsible manner.
You want to be a journalist, start to contribute to your student bulletins.
You want to be a doctor, start to show keen interest in chemistry and biology and take part in laboratory practical.
You want to be a lawyer; start practicing by taking part in your school's literary and debate activities.
Choosing a career is probably the most important decision you will have to make in life. Do not allow others to choose a career for you. Whatever you decide as your career should be a profession that you know you have a passion for and you can visualise yourself in that position in future and work towards it.
For some of you the talent comes naturally and you just have to cultivate it; for others you will have to work harder and harder to become that person you want to be.
Nevertheless, choosing the right career will not guarantee you success. What guarantees you success, and this is very important, are your values, ethics, attitude and commitment to your work, and above all your relationship with your colleagues and people.
*The New Executive*
Now, let me turn to the new Executive members of SAOSA who will be in charge of the Association for the next four years.
I say congratulations to all of you. And I say thank you to the outgoing Executive.
You have been called to serve your alma mater. This Latin phrase *“alma mater”* means *‘our mother’*, and it aptly describes your relationship with your old school. Just like your mother, your old school helped to nurture you in a variety of ways. Your secondary school was the foundation of the house you have become. And now it’s payback time.
SAOSA is the platform available to all old students to give back to your school. Old students remain connected to their school forever through their old students’ associations.
The outgoing SAOSA President, Mr. Karilai Kamara, has highlighted the achievements of his executive. Now, the baton has been handed over to you. Your responsibility is to build on those achievements and take SAOSA and your school to another level.
*Here are a few tips to help you make a difference:*
*REACH OUT:* Since 1984 when St. Augustine Secondary School was established, hundreds of students have passed through the institution. You need to find ways to reach out to them and bring them onboard.
*DO NOT DISCRIMINATE:*
Treat all old students equal and with respect. Not all of us who go through the school become successful. Some will drop out on the way. Others will try hard, but circumstances will push them into unfavourable conditions. But every old student has something to offer.
*CONNECT WITH YOUR COMMUNITY:*
develop strategies to strengthen the school’s relationship with the community. Make the community feel part of the administration of the school and make them take ownership and contribute to its development.
*RESOURCE MOBILISATION:*
develop strategies to help the school raise funds. Identify potential sources and establish contacts through courtesy calls or short meetings. Initiate and organise fund raising programmes, and encourage members of SAOSA to contribute periodically to your school development fund. Invest in school memorabilia and sell to students (old and current) at reasonable prices.
Resource mobilization is not only about raising funds; you can also raise services and other supports.
*MENTORSHIP:*
identify skills and expertise of SAOSA members and encourage them to mentor current students. Some members may decide to come to the school periodically to teach and inspire the current students.
*STAY VISIBLE:*
in this age of digital media, you have to stay visible. Maintain social media accounts and keep them active by updating them regularly with your activities as well as developments taking place in the school.
In running the race of life we are faced with making choices. The best choice or decision we can make in life is to get an education.
*“Sicut Seritorita Colligatal”*. Sow now, and reap later. It’s the motto of your school.
I thank you.
*#End*
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