Nollywood actress Yvonne Jegede has warned Senior Secondary School students against allowing temporary fun, bad friendships and social media distractions to derail their future, urging them to think carefully before making life-changing decisions.
Jegede gave the warning on Wednesday at a Campus Flaws Awareness programme organised for SSS3 students in Lagos State by Etiquette Poise and Protocol Resource Academy, led by Keji Oladimeji.
The event, held at Trinity University, Yaba, Lagos, was designed to expose students to the distractions, pitfalls and social vices they could encounter when they gain admission into tertiary institutions.
Speaking to the students, Jegede said the choices they made at their present stage could determine the kind of future they would have, urging them not to sacrifice their long-term goals for temporary pleasure.
She said, “The choice you make will determine where you are tomorrow. Any mistake you make is yours. As you make life decisions, ask yourself, ‘Who am I becoming?’ This will determine who you become.”
The actress cautioned the students against allowing the desire to have fun or fit in with their peers to influence decisions that could have lasting consequences.
“Know your distractions. Be aware of your environment. Enjoy yourself, but know when it becomes a distraction. Don’t let temporary fun destroy your future,” Jegede warned.
She urged them to be deliberate about the friends they kept, saying some people might conceal their true intentions behind a friendly appearance.
“Check the friends you have. There are people who are wolves in sheep’s clothing. Be careful with the kind of friends you choose,” she said.
Jegede also warned the students about the influence of social media, saying the content they consumed and the things they posted could gradually shape their behaviour and reputation.
“What you feed on social media will begin to manifest over time. What you post shows what you think. Be careful about what you post,” she said.
She advised the students not to make decisions simply to impress others or because they wanted to belong to a particular group.
“You don’t have to compromise yourself to belong. You can be relevant without losing your value. Protect your future. Think before you act,” the actress said.
According to her, students should also avoid comparing their progress with that of others or rushing into decisions because they feel they are being left behind.
“Not everything you see on social media is real. Build yourself and take your education seriously. You don’t have to rush in life because someone seems ahead of you,” she said.
Jegede encouraged the students to seek advice and mentorship before making major decisions, stressing that responsible choices could be made from an early age.
“You’re not too young to make decisions. Start early. Don’t be in a hurry to make any decision. You can seek mentorship and advice before making a decision,” she added.
She further urged them to consider the long-term consequences of their actions by asking themselves whether their present decisions would make them proud in the future.
“Ask yourself, ‘Will the choices I make today make me proud of whom I will become tomorrow?’” she said.
Also speaking, another Nollywood actor, Tobi Makinde, told the students that their choices could either make or destroy them, stressing the importance of good manners and character.
“Whatever choice you make will make or mar you. Good manners and good character are crucial,” Makinde said.
He noted that talent and skills could help young people advance in their careers, but good character could take them further by creating opportunities and opening doors.
“Talent and skill will take you far, but good manners will take you farther. It will open doors,” he said.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of Trinity University, Prof. Clement Kolawole, said the institution remained committed to preparing students for higher education and life beyond the classroom.
Kolawole said the university’s academic standard continued to grow, noting that it had 22 fully accredited programmes, including three new programmes in Community Health, Public Health and Environmental Health.
“Here at Trinity University, we remain focused on ensuring that students are well-prepared for higher education and life beyond the classroom,” he said.
The vice-chancellor said the university had also launched the Trinity University Skills Acquisition Academy to complement students’ academic programmes with entrepreneurial and marketable skills.
“Our curriculum equips students with critical employability skills, and we have also launched the Trinity University Skills Acquisition Academy.
“Through this programme, students not only pursue their main course of study but also gain entrepreneurial and marketable skills through partnerships with leading institutions. This ensures they are fully prepared to navigate the economy as graduates,” Kolawole said.
The Registrar of the university, David Oyejide, also highlighted the institution’s academic and character-building offerings, encouraging the students to consider Trinity University for their tertiary education.
In her remarks, EPRA Director Oladimeji said the programme was organised to help SSS3 students understand the pitfalls and distractions they could encounter on tertiary institution campuses and prepare them for a successful academic journey.
She said the initiative was also intended to discourage students from subscribing to social vices that could undermine their education and future.
The event featured a stage play on the theme, Campus Flaws, which portrayed the dangers of making wrong choices and engaging in social vices on campus.