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Samuel Ogidan
The national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has charged Nigerian youths to embrace integrity, hard work and lifelong learning, describing education as the greatest investment any nation can make for its future.
Mark gave the advice on Sunday while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Graduation, Speech and Prize-Giving Ceremony of Pace Setters College, Abuja, where he urged the graduating Class of 2026 to prepare for a rapidly changing world driven by technology, innovation and creativity.
He said academic qualifications alone would no longer guarantee success, stressing that character, integrity, adaptability and critical thinking would be the defining qualities of future leaders.
“Your certificate may secure your first opportunity, but it is your character that will sustain your success. Knowledge may open doors, but integrity keeps them open,” he told the graduates.
The former Senate President noted that nations that have achieved sustainable development did so by deliberately investing in education, skills and human capital, adding that every classroom serves as a foundation for innovation and national progress.
He encouraged the graduating students to view graduation not as the end of learning but the beginning of a lifelong pursuit of knowledge, urging them to continually improve themselves in an increasingly competitive global environment.
Mark also advised the students to value integrity above material success, embrace discipline and perseverance, dream beyond their circumstances and focus on providing solutions to society’s challenges.
According to him, the world rewards individuals who solve problems rather than merely identify them, urging the graduates to use their education to create value, inspire hope and positively impact their communities.
Speaking on Nigeria’s future, the ADC National Chairman expressed confidence in the country’s young people, saying they possess the talent, creativity and technological capacity needed to transform the nation.
He, however, stressed that building a better Nigeria would require responsible leadership, patriotism, respect for the rule of law, accountability and the courage to stand for what is right.
“Never underestimate the power of one honest citizen. Every great nation is built by ordinary men and women who choose integrity over corruption, service over selfishness and excellence over mediocrity,” he said.
Mark also paid tribute to parents and guardians for their sacrifices in raising and educating their children, while commending teachers for their invaluable contributions to nation-building through mentorship and character development.
He congratulated students who received academic honours, urging them to remain humble, and encouraged those who did not win awards not to lose hope, describing life as a marathon rather than a sprint.
The former Senate President equally commended the Proprietor of Pace Setters College, Barrister Kenneth Imansuagbon, for his commitment to quality education and his contributions to expanding access to private education in Nigeria.
He concluded by urging the graduating students to measure success not by material wealth but by the lives they touch, the values they uphold and the legacy they leave behind.
“Go into the world with confidence. Lead with integrity. Serve with humility. Pursue excellence with courage and never stop learning,” Mark said.