Abia Ex-Governor, Kalu Urges Youths to Embrace Entrepreneurship:
Former Governor of Abia State Dr Orji Uzor Kalu has urged youths across the country to explore the benefits of entrepreneurship and get rid of white-collar job mentality.
He gave the admonition recently at a public lecture organised by the National Economics Students Association at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). The theme was “Youth empowerment and good governance: A veritable tool for economic development.”
He said youths should embrace the pursuit of goals that lead to the realisation of individual potential, adding that certificate acquisition was not enough to succeed in today’s world.
“I implore you to begin to think outside the traditional assumption; I mean the false notion that the university education or degree certification is the key to a bed of roses. The reality on ground calls for your creativity in the engagement of your scholarship because opportunities for those who brandish only their certificates are limited,” he said.
He called on government at all levels to be responsive to the needs of the people, saying “good governance is birthed on the foundations of transparency, accountability, participation and responsiveness to the needs and aspirations of the people.”
Dr. Kalu urged the Federal Government to keep to its statutory responsibility of providing basic amenities to the people, encourage youth empowerment, promote security and welfare schemes, combat corruption, mediate in conflicts, conserve environment and fight against deadly diseases, including HIV/AIDs.
Students who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE said the lecture was an eye-opener.
Goodluck Onosetale, 300-Level Economics, said he was inspired to discover the importance of self-discipline and the role it played in idea generation.
Dignitaries at the occasion included the Dean, faculty of Social Science, Prof C.O.T Ugwu, Head, Department of Economics, Prof C.C Agu and other principal officers of the institution.
President of the association, Eze Ogbonna, in his remark, thanked everyone for making the event a success.
The lecture ended with the presentation of award to Dr Kalu. (The Nation)