STUDENTS, Others Name their Roll Models and tell their stories By Olufemi Ogunkilede Following the defination of a roll model that says true role models are those who possess the qualities that we would like to have and those who have affected us in a way that makes us want to be better people. To advocate for ourselves and our goals and take leadership on the issues that we believe in. We often dont recognize our true role models until we have noticed our own personal growth and progress. I think mentoring is an understanding between two or more people. It is a way for people to learn from each other. Even though most think mentors are older, I think its a bond and no matter age, race, or gender. However, students in Port-Harcourt while chatting with weekly companion expressed their views and feeling on who should be and who their role models are and what they intend to be in future. Shade Oladele a nineteen years old SS 3 girl from science class in Holy Rosery Secondary school , Port-Harcourt said that my own roll model is Bill gate, Gates is one of the best-known entrepreneurs of the personal computer revolution. I will like to emulate him and want to be like him. I have started learning very hard to achieve my target towards being like Bill Gate. I think my parents are giving me the supports and encouragement to achieve that. Alawari George who is a twenty years old SS 1 boy also in science class in Comprehensive Government Secondary School in Port-Harcourt stated that his roll models are plenty, but my roll model is Prof. Elechi Amadi, I believe a person has many role models in their lives. Each role model teaches a person about themselves . A role model to me is someone who not only treats me as an equal but is honest, trusting, God fearing and most of all open-minded especially in today’s society. We live in a society that really doesnt allow one to be different . Angel Wariboko a fourteen year old SS one girl from art class in New Covenant School in Por-Harcourt said that, my roll model is Prof. Wole Shoyinka who is a Nigerian writer, notable especially as a playwright and poet; he was awarded the 1986 Nobel Prize in Literature, the first person in Africa to be so honoured. I want to be like him , and I hope to be a splendid writer some day where I will be recognized in future. Meanwhile, Soyinka was born into a Yoruba family in Abeokuta. After study in Nigeria and the UK, he worked with the Royal Court Theatre in London. Anita Anee who pleaded not to be named as regards to her school identity said that, my mother influenced me to not set limits on what I could do. She had an A.A. in commercial art but she had to give up her idea of a career because my dad was a carpenter and we moved around a lot. I had a teacher in Junior class who inspired me to try to live up to my potential. What she did was pull me aside one day and pointed out to me that if I would apply myself a little harder I was capable of getting straight As. I didnt take her advice right then, but it gave me quite a boost and started me to thinking and paying more attention. She had been a forest ranger before she was a teacher and she shared a lot of her experiences with her students. I was very impressed by her life. I was the new kid in school and she spent extra time with me to help me out. I was real shy and buried in books at that age. When she jumped on me for being lazy I definitely sat up and took notice. I believe the best roles models make us see the possibilities within ourselves. I think a good role model encourages me to believe I can be who I want to be with hard work, said Kevin James a twenty six year old boy who finished his secondary school from New Covenant in Borikir, Port-Harcourt. He further said that I have numerous role models, from my daughter that I had wen I was in JS 3 , who reminds me what is really important in life, to my boss and dear friend, who encourages me to think and use the power of my voice and the strength of my fist. My mother has always taught me that you can be anyone or anything you want to be and my sister showed me what courage really was. I believe people who are role models know that they are, whether they like it or not. It is their behavior that people look up to. It is their leadership qualities that others want to see and model, said Kevin. Joy Adams a nineteen year old girl from Sunrise School in Port-Harcourt told her own story, to me I think a Good Role Model is a person who tells, or influences you to make the right choice in life. Like for example my mother she always tells me you’re not going to get anywhere in life until you prove it to yourself, whatever that means. But if I didnt have anyone like my mother to remind me everyday. . . I might be that lazy, oh lazy young lady rocking in my chair, doing nothing for myself but, getting old. But YES my mother is the greatest role model for me. Why? the answer is that she believes in everyone has a dream. I think role models have changed over the generations. People used to describe their role models as being people they didnt know, example movie stars and athletes. Now, people tend to find role models that are in some way or another involved in their lives, I think the other piece about a role model that is important is that it is not just someone who you look up to or is successful, but someone who has had to go through similar struggles and challenges as we, said Sheyi Adegoke who is a hard working dropout from secondary school in South West, Ibadan to be precise, but very successful in life today.
Posted on: Tue, 18 Feb 2014 10:57:25 +0000