UDUF Organises 2nd phase of Under 45 CEO Business Summit as Ozigbo, Prof Sogbesan, Dr Ezuma advises Nigerian youths

Eche Nwaobasi
Onitsha/Nnewi

Former Managing Director of Transcorp Plc and candidate of Peoples Democratic Party PDP for the November 2021 governorship election in Anambra State, Mr Valentine Ozigbo, Founder and Director General of Onitsha Business School, Prof, Olusegun Sogbesan and Founding President and Chairman Board of Directors, Ultimate Destiny Uplifters Foundation UDUF Africa, Dr Smart Chinedu Ezuma yesterday urged Nigerian youth not to be discouraged by current challenges facing the country but rather rise to it and love overcomes adding that with their commitment and faith in God that they must achieve their aims

The trio made the call during the 2023 Under 45 Chief Executive Officer, CEO Business and Leadership Summit, held in Onitsha Anambra State.

In separate speeches, they told Nigerian youths that should not expect anybody to inspire them but should inspire themselves, adding that any person under the age of 45 is highly favoured, lucky and blessed because they are at the peak performance season of their lives

Mr Ozigbo said that inspired youths easily get assistance, support and mentorship from destiny helpers, to grow their businesses, adding that Nigerian youths should not be downcast and forget about their future, but should make the choices of rejecting the status quo and fight to get their freedom from the shackles of living in the past, and should fight on to take back the country from those holding them down.

According to Ozigbo, “In politics, we should de-emphasize transaction and emphasize more on opportunities, I want to emphasize that what started in 2023 has not ended, we are heading somewhere. Yes inspire yourselves, don’t look for anybody to inspire you.”

Prof. Sogbesan in his remark said that the UDUF Under 45 CEO’s Summit has exposed the possibility of creating leaders from the youths irrespective of the vices we are facing in society.

He added that the summit is to build and raise African leaders in different segment of the Nigerian economy and industries, just as to create a model and pattern for people to fulfill their visions.

Earlier in his address Dr Ezuma, said that the future is now and it belongs to the youths adding that the foundation of every nation is the development and education of its youth.

“This year’s summit is unique because of its theme, ‘Creating a sustainable Africa through active leadership’ Africa is a great continent but it has leadership problems. There is a great disparity between the leadership situation in the African continent and the attainment of sustainable development.

“This summit is one of the ways we stand to contribute in balancing the disparity in leadership situation in Africa, because everything rises and fall on leadership. If we can make corrections on our leadership mindset now we are young, I believe that the future of Africa will be bright.

“I want us to know that a child is a gift of nature and a new stage of opportunity, brain and strength, any person under the age of 45 is highly favoured, lucky and blessed, he or she is at the peak of performance, which I call the afternoon session of life.

“Many young people are misusing their time thinking that the future has something better for them that will miraculously without hard work, they do not know that the fruit you will harvest in the future is the seed you planted today or some years ago.

“Many of us are interested in the success of great people but overlook the Labour and struggle behind their success, nothing comes easy and there is no easy life.

“Don’t wait for someone to motivate you, don’t wait for someone to push you, motivate yourself, push yourself. Whether it is raining,the sun is shining or the wind of life is blowing against you, the only option to win is by pushing yourself.

“Like the renounced leader Martin Luther King Jnr, said. “If you can’t fly, run, if you can’t run walk, if you can’t walk crawl, whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”

Elated Dr Ezuma expressed satisfaction that apart from providing training, monitoring capacity building, and skill acquisition to people UDUF Africa has strategically connected people who are interested in youth development, entrepreneurship, leadership volunteers and community service and the result was the donation of over three million to over seven youth to grow their businesses