Northern Pulse

The Honourable Minister of Defence, Christopher Gwabin Musa, has charged graduating students of the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) to embrace responsibility, innovation, and patriotism as they step into the next phase of their lives.

The minister gave the charge at the combined 2nd, 3rd and 4th convocation ceremony of the institute held on Saturday in Kaduna.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Mr Richard Pheelangwa, Musa described the occasion as a defining milestone for the graduates.

He said that while the ceremony celebrated academic achievement, it also marked the beginning of greater expectations and responsibilities to the nation.

“Today is not just a celebration of what you have achieved; it is a declaration of what is now expected of you.

“You are not leaving as mere graduates but as custodians of responsibility and stewards of Nigeria’s future,” he said.

The minister emphasised that citizenship entails duty, integrity, and accountability, noting that national development depends on the collective contributions of its citizens.

According to him, Nigeria is at a critical juncture facing security challenges, technological disruption, and rising expectations, requiring deliberate efforts from citizens to drive progress.

Musa described AFIT as a critical institution in Nigeria’s technological and defence ecosystem, adding that it produces not just graduates but competence and capability.

“What you carry today is more than a qualification; it is a national asset entrusted to you,” he said.

He urged the graduates to apply their knowledge in practical ways to support national development, stressing that nation-building occurs across all sectors including laboratories, workshops, classrooms, and industries.

The minister also called for true patriotism, defined not by words but by consistent actions rooted in discipline, excellence, and sacrifice.

“Your certificates will open doors, but it is your character that will keep them open,” he added.

In his remarks, the Commandant of AFIT, AVM Adeniran Ademuwagun, described the convocation as both the end of formal academic training and the beginning of professional responsibility.

He highlighted skill acquisition and opportunity as key determinants of success, urging graduates to continuously develop their competencies in a dynamic and competitive global environment.

Ademuwagun illustrated his point with a personal anecdote of a military driver whose basic skill enabled him to build a meaningful career, stressing that even simple skills, when properly applied, could open significant opportunities.

“Success is rarely explained by chance alone. It is the product of systematic preparation aligned with available opportunity,” he said.

He encouraged graduates to embrace lifelong learning, align their expertise with national needs, and uphold integrity in their professional pursuits.

The commandant further reminded them that possessing a degree alone does not guarantee relevance, but continuous learning, innovation, and ethical leadership do.

“As graduates of AFIT, you are part of Nigeria’s strategic intellectual reserve. Your ideas and innovations will shape institutions and influence national outcomes,” he said.

Ademuwagun urged the graduates to remain disciplined, resilient, and forward-thinking, adding that they must uphold the values and reputation of the institution.

The ceremony attracted top military officials, government representatives, parents, and well-wishers who gathered to celebrate the achievements of the graduating students.

The event marked another milestone in AFIT’s contribution to technological advancement and human capital development in Nigeria.