By Ovat Abeng
An industrialist and former governorship aspirant of the All Progressive Congress (APC),in Anambra State, Dr Valentine Ozigbo, has enjoined Nigeria youths to seek the face of God as well as conduct adequate research before following anyone as a mentor.
Ozigbo gave the advise at a one-day symposium organised by Blazing Generation Initiative (BGI), a non-governmental and non-profit organization, established with sole objective of preparing the minds of youth for a greater tomorrow.
The Paradise News gathered that the event held at Eagles Assembly auditorium in Awka on Monday,, also witnessed a large number of youths and other concerned stakeholders in the state.
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Advising further, Ozigbo who argued that some leaders find it difficult to appreciate smart people following them as mentees, stressed that emotional intelligence would equally help the youth to succeed because it was a master key to unlock resilience for effective leadership and lasting success in all sphere of life.
“Seek Him first and every other things will be added unto you. To find a mentor, do it yourself. Conduct research to find out those with leadership traits you want. Do not wait for them to find you. Learn from their experiences, pick those things you want to learn from them and move on to effect the desired change in society.
“Why are people looking down upon us? What is the excuse? There is no excuse in life if you want to succeed. It is important to be focused. You can learn from others experience. I have been insulted and humiliated but I have never allowed that to wear me down. Always remember that hard work pays,” he stated.
On his political journey, Ozigbo, who was also the governorship candidate of PDP in Anambra 2021 poll, alleged that he was rigged out by combined forces he would not like to mention, adding that his attempt to reclaim his mandate in the forthcoming Anambra poll was again sabotaged.
According to him, the forces came after him in the Labour Party (LP) where he was almost unopposed candidate and he forced him to abandon the party.
“I left Labour Party because they have concluded on how to mess me up. I wouldn’t know whatever reasons that made them planned this against me. I won’t mention names of those persons. But I have learnt my lessons. I usually ask for God’s direction in whatever I do. God has directed me on what to do. That was why I left. I can’t join ADC because some of persons in the party can’t be trusted any more,” he clarified.
Ozigbo recalled that the LP during a convention held at Nnewi endorsed Mr Peter Obi as Presidential candidate for 2027, Alex Otti for Abia State Governorship poll, and others but kept mute on his ambition even when they met at State level.
According to him, at a stage those loyal to him were victimised by the party, a clear evidence of the plans to frustrate his ambition of becoming the LP governorship candidate and eventual governor of Anambra State.
The Convener, Blazing Generation Initiative (BGI), Comrade Arizechukwu Anaegbunam, had thanked Ozigbo for impacting positively on youth, noting that they would continue following his footsteps due to impactful leadership styles.
Anaegbunam described BGI as a conference, project, ministry and movement designed to birth the needed change in the community of young people, occasion paradigm shift and reengineer mindsets.
“The core of this movement lies in the desire to raise a breed of change agents, informed and refined youths who will take the baton of leadership and champion transformation in their sphere of influence. This conference is one of the few ways anchored on, to bring about revitalisation, rehabilitation, revamping, redirection of the minds of the younger generation, which wields the beacon of hope for a better tomorrow.
“To this end, we are concerned about the role of the young adults in fostering a livable and prosperous society, saddled with the responsibility of adequately equipping the leaders of tomorrow, future tycoons and trailblazers across all walks of life. Hence, we are leveraging on every arsenal within our reach to engender the scope of this project as earlier mentioned,” he stated.
Speaking at the occasion, another resource person, Mr Benjamin Oyekunle, explained that the youth could build themselves as brands by investing in time and talents that matters most to them diligently and consistently without fear or favour.
“Your personality is the brand. If you set out for something, you must be ready to accomplish it. Your visions or convictions are from the passion within you. If you don’t drive it, no one will do that for you. Investing time and other resources in your value matters allot. People will always remember the values you added. Your authenticity and reputation stand you out,” he stated.
Also speaking, a legal luminary, Bar. Ekenechukwu Nwosu, who spoke on legality in business and enterprise, enjoined the youth to always find out if the businesses they wished to invest on is legal, and endeavour to fulfill all the legal obligations involved.
Contributing, Lady_soldout, Mrs Monalisa Eke, hinted that everything about life hinged on change of mindset, which according to her, requires reading books, meeting and studying people, risk taking and adjusting when and where necessary.
Other speakers, including the State Chairperson, International Federation of Women lawyers (FIDA), Comrade Uche Udego, Comrade Izuchukwu Osakwe and Engr Umeasiegbu Obumneme, urged youth to shun get-rich-quick syndrome, engage on lawful activities and carefully maximise available opportunities for self development and growth.
