Enugu State governor, Peter Mbah, on Saturday advised youths to embrace leadership, entrepreneurial and innovative spirit to move the state and Nigeria forward.

Mr Mbah gave the advice in Enugu during the 2024 Enugu Leadership and Business Summit, organised by Enugu Innovative Youths.

The summit is themed, “The role of youths in building a new Enugu.”

The governor encouraged the youth to pursue greatness and cultivate the mindset of life-long-learning to enable them achieve their dreams in life.

Addressing youths at the summit held at University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, the governor extolled the youth’s energy brought to the summit, saying that the gathering showed incredible power within the youths.

The governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, added that the theme resonated deeply with their collective aspirations.

According to him, this underscores the pivotal role youths play in reshaping the destiny of Enugu State whether through entrepreneurship, advocacy or public service.

He urged them to embrace leadership which, he said, was not title or position but something that inherent what one works toward.

According to him, leadership is not confined to boardrooms or legislative chambers but begins with self awareness, commitment to integrity, empathy and ethical conduct.

“It is defined by the courage to take initiative, resilience to navigate challenges and compassion to uplift those around you. True leaders inspire trust, empower others and champion inclusivity. Remember to uplift those around you when ascending the ladder of success. This is because true greatness is not measured by personal accolades you receive but by the positive impact you have on others. Your contribution matters and you have power to make a difference. The time to lead is now and the world is waiting for you,” Mr Mbah added.

A member representing Enugu North and South Federal Constituency, Chimaobi Atu, in a lecture titled, “A limitless potential of Enugu youth,” urged the youth to embrace innovation and acquire digital skills and networking.

This, he said, would help them to solve complex challenges facing the society as well as discovering their hidden potentials.

Also, the member representing Nkanu East and West Federal Constituency, Nnolim Nnaji, while speaking on “youths and drug abuse,” noted that drug abuse posed socio-economic effects and endangered the future of youths.

He, however, advised them to shun any form of drug abuse to build the desired and sustained society the state and country craved for.

Earlier, the Director of EIY, Reverend Chimaobi Aninwene, said the summit aimed at gathering youths together to educate them on the need to be part of the happenings in Enugu and the country.

He said, “Before this time many youths think that to be a youth is just about a particular age. Youth need to understand who they are to value themselves. We want to be part of innovation and creativity going on in the country as well as partnering with Mbah because of his developmental strides within one year in office.’’

He explained that the youth were drawn across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state to participate in the summit, to hear and learn from incredible leaders, who would speak to them on various topics.

The highlights of the event include the presentation of N100,000 each to three youths for their education and presenting Mr Mbah with the Best Innovation Award of the year.

(NAN)