Al-Hikmah Science and Arts School, Bakori, has held its second graduation ceremony for the 2025/2026 academic session, with the Chairman of the Occasion, Malam Ahmed Abdulkadir, urging the graduating students to combine academic excellence with integrity and good character.
The ceremony, held on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at the school premises in Bakori, also featured a lecture on “The Role of Education and Integrity in Nation Building”, delivered by former Chairman of Bakori Local Government Council, Hon. Abubakar Shu’aibu Bakori.
Malam Ahmed Abdulkadir, who is the Board Chairman of Katsina State Radio and Television Services, said the occasion was particularly significant to him because he had followed the development of the school with keen interest since its establishment.
Abdulkadir, a professionally trained teacher who spent eight years in the teaching profession before pursuing a journalism career spanning more than three decades, described Al-Hikmah Science and Arts School as “one of the best, if not the best, private school” he knew in Bakori Local Government Area.
He recalled that he was filled with pride when the school was established several years ago because the area lacked a private educational institution of its kind.
According to him, the growth of the school and the achievements of its former students, many of whom have proceeded to graduate from universities and other higher institutions across the country, remain a source of satisfaction.
“I am particularly happy and proud to see how far the school has come,” Abdulkadir said, commending the proprietors, management and teachers for their vision, commitment and sacrifice in building the institution.
He said the success of a school should not be measured merely by the number of buildings or students it produces, but by the quality of individuals it prepares for society.
The Chairman of the Occasion urged the graduating students to regard their graduation as the beginning of another stage in their lives rather than the end of their educational journey.
He encouraged them to pursue further education and acquire relevant skills while adapting to changes in science, technology, digital communication, artificial intelligence and innovation.
Abdulkadir, however, stressed that academic qualifications must be accompanied by good character.
“Your certificate may tell people what you studied, but your character will tell them who you are,” he told the graduates.
He urged them to respect their parents and teachers, remain humble and disciplined, work hard and maintain integrity wherever they found themselves.
The Chairman also called on parents to continue guiding their children after secondary school, while urging the school management to sustain its commitment to academic excellence, teacher development, science and technology, extracurricular activities and moral education.
Among the graduates is the chairman of the occasion’s niece, Hafsat Kasim Barau. She is an orphan, whose father was the chairman’s cousin. He died and left behind five children, including Hafsat.
In his lecture, Hon. Abubakar Shu’aibu Bakori said education and integrity were fundamental to the development of every society, stressing that academic qualifications alone could not guarantee national progress.
He defined education as the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, attitudes and experiences that enable individuals to contribute meaningfully to society.
According to him, true education goes beyond passing examinations and obtaining certificates, as it should transform character, develop critical thinking, encourage creativity and equip individuals to solve problems.
He described education as a powerful instrument for fighting poverty, ignorance, unemployment and insecurity, while empowering citizens to contribute to national development.
On integrity, the former local government chairman described it as doing the right thing even when nobody was watching.
He identified honesty, respect for laws and regulations, accountability, fairness, justice and responsibility as some of the qualities associated with integrity.
Bakori said education contributed to nation building through human capital development, economic growth, peace and national unity, technological advancement and the promotion of responsible citizenship.
He noted that educated professionals such as doctors, engineers, teachers, lawyers, scientists, entrepreneurs and public servants were essential to economic growth and national development.
He also stressed that integrity was critical to fighting corruption, building public trust, ensuring justice and fairness, improving service delivery and strengthening the reputation of a country.
“Education without integrity can produce intelligent criminals, while integrity without education may limit an individual’s ability to maximise his or her potential,” he said.
He therefore called for the combination of education and integrity, saying it would produce accountable leaders, ethical professionals, trustworthy businesses and stronger institutions.
The speaker urged parents to instil discipline, honesty, respect and sound moral values in their children, while encouraging teachers to serve as role models through professionalism, fairness, dedication and integrity.
He also advised students to shun examination malpractice, cultism, drug abuse, bullying and other forms of dishonest behaviour, and instead embrace hard work, discipline, respect and continuous learning.
He called on government to invest adequately in education through the provision of qualified teachers, modern learning facilities, scholarships and policies that promote quality education and ethical leadership.
Religious and community leaders, he added, should continue to promote moral values, peaceful coexistence and responsible citizenship.
Bakori further urged Nigerians to prioritise quality education, reward honesty and excellence, reject corruption, encourage innovation and entrepreneurship, respect the rule of law and promote peace and national unity.
The Bakori Local Government Chairman, Abubakar Musa Barde, who was represented by the Vice Chairman, Kabir Ɗan-Hamidu, commended the management of Al-Hikmah Science and Arts School for contributing to educational development in the area through the establishment and growth of the institution.
He also called on residents to support government efforts towards restoring and sustaining peace in the area, stressing that government alone could not achieve the objective.
He received the award presented to the local government chairman on his behalf.
The Makaman Katsina, who was listed among the dignitaries at the event, was represented by the Sarkin-Fadan Bakori, Alhaji Ali Abubakar.
Also among those who received awards at the ceremony was the Chairman of the Occasion, Malam Ahmed Abdulkadir, while the Commissioner of Livestock Development, Professor Ahmed Mohammed Bakori, was also in attendance and received an award.
The graduation ceremony featured a variety of academic and cultural activities, including poetry presentations, debate, lectures, parades, drama, nursery-school presentations and cultural dances representing Igbo, Hausa, Fulani, Yoruba and Arabic traditions.
Other highlights included the presentation of awards and prizes to deserving students, the graduation of students, and valedictory speeches by the Head Girl and Head Boy.
The event ended with closing remarks by the Vice Principal of the school.
