Press statement
By Paul Mumeh, Media Assistant to Senator David Mark.
Senator Mark returns to Alma mater 51 years after
——- says NMS is a true centre for national unity.
Former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark has again harped on peace and unity among Nigerians irrespective of tribe or religion if the nation must come out of her socio-economic quagmire.
Senator Mark noted that in spite of any misgivings about the unity of Nigeria , the nation is greater and better as one indivisible country saying that any shortcomings can be addressed through the application of justice, equity and fairness to all.
Speaking as a special guest of honour at the 2017 graduation ceremony of the Nigeria Military School(NMS), Zaria in Kaduna state Saturday, Senator Mark stated that Nigeria has come of age as a nation where primordial prejudices should not be tolerated.
Senator Mark who graduated from NMS, Zaria in 1966 noted that the institution has remained the benchmark for academic excellence, character moulding, and national unity.
He said : “Let me emphasize on the issue of National Unity and cohesion because friendship made in NMS cuts across ethnicity, tribe and religion. It is indeed a genuine centre of true national unity”.
With a feeling of nostalgia, Senator Mark noted that ” I can tell you categorically that the lessons I learnt here (NMS) are primarily responsible for my success in life so far”.
He therefore advised the graduating Boys to hold on tenaciously to the ethos of discipline, knowledge and patriotism which the school has imparted in them.
Such ideals, Senator Mark assured, will make them men of honour, integrity, courage, character, moral uprightness, and be able to compete favorably in any field they may find themselves in future.
He told the out-going boys to remain faithful to the nation’s motto of ” Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress”.
Judging from the successes of NMS over the years, Senator Mark wondered whether the school should not be made a co-educational institution.
Guest lecturer at the ceremony Dr. Sylvester Momoh Onoja (former principal emeritus Kings College, Lagos) warned that disaster looms “if our youths are not educated to the face challenges of life”.
He expressed grave concern over the lip service being paid to the education of Nigerian youths and challenged governments at all levels to make a deliberate policy to invest in education.
To reverse the looming backwardness , Dr. Onoja stressed “We need quality education. Education is the only thing that is the solution to everything”.
He said knowledge is an asset the government , the religious leaders and scholars must promote and Pass on to the youths.
Commandant of NMS Brigadier General Mohammed Bunza in his remarks said everything will be done to sustain and promote academic excellence and good character of students .
