ADC Chairman David Mark Urges Graduates to Embrace Integrity, Innovation, Lifelong Learning

The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has urged graduating students of Pace Setters College, Abuja, to embrace integrity, hard work and lifelong learning as they prepare to face the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
Speaking on Sunday as the guest speaker at the school’s 2026 Graduation, Speech and Prize-Giving Ceremony, Mark said academic certificates alone would not guarantee lasting success, stressing that character, resilience and adaptability remain indispensable qualities for future leaders.
Addressing the graduating Class of 2026, the former Senate President congratulated the students for completing an important phase of their academic journey and commended their parents, teachers and the school’s management for their commitment to nurturing responsible citizens.
He praised Pace Setters College for maintaining high academic standards and promoting moral discipline, noting that the true purpose of education goes beyond obtaining certificates to building ethical leaders and productive members of society.
Mark described education as the greatest investment any nation can make, saying countries that have achieved global leadership did so by deliberately investing in the knowledge, skills and creativity of their citizens.
He observed that the world is undergoing unprecedented transformation driven by technological advancement, including artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology, renewable energy, digital entrepreneurship and the creative economy.
According to him, the changing global landscape demands adaptability, emotional intelligence, creativity, critical thinking and an unwavering commitment to continuous learning.
“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 said.
Offering advice to the graduates, Mark encouraged them never to stop learning, describing graduation as the beginning rather than the end of education.
He urged them to value integrity above material success, embrace hard work and discipline, dream beyond their circumstances and strive to become solution providers capable of creating value and improving society.
“The world does not reward those who merely identify problems; it rewards those who solve them,” he said.
The ADC chairman expressed confidence in the potential of Nigerian youths, saying the younger generation possesses the talent, creativity and technological capacity required to transform the country.
He, however, stressed that building a better Nigeria would require responsible leadership, active citizenship, patriotism, accountability and respect for the rule of law.
“Never underestimate the power of one honest citizen. Every great nation is built by ordinary men and women who make extraordinary choices—choosing integrity over corruption, service over selfishness and excellence over mediocrity,” he added.
Mark also paid tribute to parents and guardians for their sacrifices in raising and educating their children, while commending teachers for their invaluable role in shaping future leaders.
He congratulated students who received prizes and honours, urging them to remain humble, while encouraging those who did not receive awards not to be discouraged, describing life as “a marathon, not a hundred-metre sprint.”
The former Senate President equally commended the proprietor of Pace Setters College, Barrister Kenneth Imansuagbon, for his sustained investment in quality education and for complementing government’s efforts in developing the nation’s education sector.
He described Imansuagbon’s commitment to empowering young people through education as worthy of emulation and prayed for greater strength and success in his mission.
Concluding his address, Mark reminded the graduating students that true success should be measured not by wealth but by the positive impact they make on others and the values they uphold.
He urged them to lead with integrity, serve with humility, pursue excellence with courage and remain committed to lifelong learning.
“I have every confidence that the graduating Class of 2026 will make Pace Setters College proud, make your families proud and, above all, make Nigeria proud,” he said.