The immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, delivered a message of encouragement, urging Nigerians not to lose hope amidst the prevailing economic challenges.
Speaking as the guest lecturer at the Fifth Convocation Ceremony of the Mountain Top University in Prayer City, Ogun State, Emmanuel emphasized the need for individuals to confront the myriad challenges facing the world today with resilience and determination.
In his address, Emmanuel acknowledged the global landscape’s high pace and scale of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity, noting that no nation is immune to the present-day challenges. Despite the unresolved issues and uncertainties, he emphasized the importance of holding onto hope as a crucial attribute.
Encouraging students to cultivate a vision for their lives, Emmanuel stressed the significance of having a mental picture of the future one wishes to create. Under the theme “Optimizing Your Potentials in a Challenging Future,” he highlighted the power of maintaining a vision to enhance the chances of achieving dreams and success.
Emmanuel shared personal experiences, including the conceptualization of a state-owned airline for Akwa Ibom, which later became the renowned Ibom Air considered one of the best in Africa. He underscored the importance of mindset, urging individuals to embrace a growth mindset, accept new information, and recognize that progress is limited by one’s beliefs and ideologies.
Addressing the youth, Emmanuel cautioned against mediocrity, emphasizing the pursuit of excellence. He advised individuals to become known for excellence, transcending biases related to gender, race, ethnicity, or other factors. According to Emmanuel, excellence makes biases irrelevant, and being exceptional at one’s endeavors can lead to indispensability.
In conclusion, the former governor encouraged Nigerians to face the challenges ahead with optimism and a commitment to continuous growth and excellence.