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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, former Senate president, Senator David Mark and founder and Pro-Chancellor of Baze University, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, have cautioned Nigerian youths against the growing obsession with quick wealth.
They spoke at the 2026 Graduation and Prize-Giving Ceremony of Pacesetters Schools, Abuja, yesterday where they urged graduating students to reject crime and build their future on integrity, hard work and sound education.
They also challenged members of the graduating class to embrace discipline, resilience and lifelong learning as the true pathways to success, stressing that certificates alone would not guarantee success, insisting that good character, honesty and moral values remain indispensable for personal fulfilment and national development.
Represented by his wife, Titi, Atiku urged the graduates to pursue their dreams with determination and integrity, describing education as a powerful tool for transforming lives and building the nation.
He warned them against the lure of drug trafficking, prostitution and other criminal activities, saying the pursuit of quick wealth through illegal means could destroy promising careers and permanently damage their reputation.
The former Vice President advised the students to measure success not by material possessions but by the positive impact they make in society, expressing confidence that the Class of 2026 would emerge as responsible leaders and worthy ambassadors of their alma mater.
In his keynote address, Baba-Ahmed said genuine success goes beyond academic qualifications, stressing that discipline, character and commitment to societal development are the hallmarks of truly educated people.
He explained that education is a continuous journey that extends beyond acquiring certificates to making meaningful contributions to society through knowledge, experience and wisdom.
According to him, the path to true education progresses from literacy to formal education, participation, contribution and ultimately promotion, with each stage demanding greater responsibility and service.
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Baba-Ahmed observed that one of the greatest battles individuals face is overcoming their personal weaknesses, urging the graduates to combine knowledge with integrity, diligence and self-respect.
He warned that the temptation to seek dishonest and easy routes to success could undermine their future and deny them lasting fulfilment.
Also speaking, former Senate President David Mark, represented by former Military Administrator of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Tunde Ogbeha, reminded the graduates that learning does not end with graduation.
He encouraged them to continually acquire new knowledge and skills to remain competitive in a rapidly changing world, while maintaining honesty and integrity in all their dealings.
Mark described good character as an invaluable asset that earns public trust and opens doors to enduring success.
Chairman of Pacesetters Schools, Barrister Kenneth Imansuangbon, said the institution was committed to raising graduates who are innovative, self-reliant and capable of creating opportunities instead of depending solely on scarce white-collar jobs.
He said the school’s educational philosophy extends beyond academic excellence to nurturing critical thinking, creativity, resilience, leadership and entrepreneurial skills.
According to him, the institution deliberately develops students’ character and problem-solving abilities to prepare them for leadership and meaningful contributions to national development.
Imansuangbon urged the graduating students to remain disciplined, uphold the values instilled in them and strive for excellence wherever they find themselves.
The ceremony attracted several prominent political leaders, including ADC National Secretary and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola; former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aminu Tambuwal; former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, John Oyegun; former Edo State Governor, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor; Senator Dino Melaye; and former Pro-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Emenike Ikechi, among others.
