Adeboye urges students to pursue excellence, prays against school kidnappings

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By Olayinka Latona

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The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has urged Nigerian students to pursue continuous academic and personal development, warning against complacency and encouraging them to strive for excellence.

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Speaking during a thanksgiving service on the theme “Above Only,” based on Deuteronomy 28:1-13, Adeboye said believers should continually seek progress in every area of life.

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He said God desires His children to excel, stressing that remaining stagnant amounts to regression.

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“It doesn’t matter how high you are now, you must keep climbing. If you were where you were last year, this year, you are a backslider,” he said.

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The cleric also cautioned against losing hard-earned achievements, saying it requires greater effort to maintain success than to attain it.

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Drawing from the biblical story of Samson, he said people should remain disciplined and focused to avoid losing their place.

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“There is nothing as painful as having been at the top and ending up in the valley. It takes more effort to remain a champion than to become one,” he said.

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Adeboye identified continuous self-improvement, showing mercy to others and constant praise of God as key principles for sustained success.

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During the service, he offered prayers for students at all levels, teachers, lecturers and professors, and also prayed for the safety of schools across the country, asking God to protect students from insecurity.

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Speaking with journalists after the service, the Special Assistant to the General Overseer on Administration and Pastor in Charge of RCCG Region 1, Pastor Bamidele Balogun, urged students to remain disciplined, committed to their studies and focused on personal development.

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He also advised parents to pay closer attention to the welfare and security of their children, particularly those in boarding schools.

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Balogun encouraged parents to regularly assess the safety of their children’s learning environment and maintain close communication with school authorities.

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He said while insecurity remains a global challenge, parents should complement prayers with practical steps to safeguard their children.

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