By Emmanuel Uffot
A three-day capacity building conference tagged ‘Ibom Ignite Conference’ themed ‘MindShift’, which seeks to inspire, energize and empower Akwa Ibom youths took place in Uyo recently.
Governor Udom Emmanuel who declared the event opened Wednesday September 14 the commended the visioner and progenitor of the project, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for Akwa Ibom for his foresight in putting together the conference.
He had urged participants to take advantage of the three-day knowledge imparting summit which parades an array of resource persons from within and outside the country to renew their mindset for a prosperous and brighter future.
The Governor noted given the rich content of the conference, it would greatly inspire the youths to embrace a new mental shift away from the traditional ways of doing things.
According to him, the idea behind the conference was in line with his Dakkada philosophy, which is aimed at mind renewal and enjoined the youths not to allow themselves to be distracted by anything as they seek to uphold the philosophy, while assuring the youths that they can only achieve greatness if they focus on their dreams and aspiration.
“I want to appreciate the visioner and those that have made this programme possible. I must say, this programme has rich content. I want to urge you to renew your minds. We are used to the prevalent ways of doing things and thinking. The Dakkada creed is an inspiration that God dropped in me for the renewing of the minds of the people. The power of focus is for you to achieve something. Don’t get distracted.”
In his remarks, the convener of the conference Pastor Eno explained that the idea behind the ‘Ibom Ignite Conference’ was to create a platform to inspire our youths to pursue their passion and dreams.
The PDP flagbearer appreciated Governor Emmanuel for his efforts in youth development, stressing that his presence at the conference was an acknowledgement of his confidence on Akwa Ibom youths.
“Your Excellency, your presence here is a vote of confidence on Akwa Ibom youths. This programme is to inspire our youths. I can see a whole lot of abilities in them, but they don’t just have maybe the capacity to push them to their faith of greatness. Your Excellency, your government has done so much for our young people. I believe that empowerment for our youths should be to scale up to get them involved in small and medium scale businesses,” Eno said.
He disclosed that over 3,000 youths had registered for the conference, while resources from within and outside the country have been assembled to inspire the youths to have a mind-shift that would be of immense benefit.
The chairman of the conference Hon. Onofiok Luke, member representing Etinan/Nsit Ubium/Nsit Ibom Federal Constituency charged participants to ensure they take home the knowledge that would be imparted to them and put them into practice. He expressed the hope that the vision behind the ‘Ibom Ignite Conference’ would empower the youths in the long run.
The Nsit Ubium born federal legislature also commended Pastor Eno for his passion for youth development and Governor Emmanuel for his development strides in the state.
He pointed out for commendation the success story so far recorded by Ibom Air which has been one of the landmark achievements of Governor Emmanuel’s administration.
Among the resource persons at the 3-day event included Rev. Simeon Afolabi, who spoke on the topic ‘Renew Your Mind, Think New Thoughts’, Bishop Wayne Malcolm ‘I am a product of my decisions’ and Mrs. Ekaette Umoh who took participants through ‘Releasing the Power of the Youth through Entrepreneurship’.
Others were Rev. Olumide Emmanuel who spoke on ‘The Mind of an Entrepreneur’; Prof. Vincent Anigbogu who handled the topic ‘Ideas Rule the World: Think Creative’; Apostle Lawrence Achudume : ‘Overcoming Adversity to Becoming a Champion in Life’; while Bishop Wayne Malcolm again spoke on ”The Road to Self-Sufficiency: A paradigm Shift from Job-Seeker to Job-Creator’.
Dr. Abel Damina, a clergy treated the topic “Change Your Mind: Change Your Life-It’s Now or Never’; and Ms. Rose Umoh treated the topic ‘Investing in the Future’.
Other resource persons who also partake at the capacity building conference included Mr Calistus Onu from Zenith Bank, and a representative from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) who took participants through funding opportunities for SMEs.
As the name implies the theme of the this year’s edition of the Ibom Ignite Conference ‘Mindshift’ according to Pastor Eno seeks to engage and inspire our youths to embrace the enterprise culture for a better society and help them acquire the requisite knowledge, skills and aptitude needed to rise to the challenge of the present economic and business dynamics. It is also a platform for subject-matter experts and seasoned professionals from within and outside Nigeria to share their fountain of knowledge and experience with our youths.
Ibom Ignite Youth Conference is organized by THE GATHERING; which is a platform to inspire the next generation of youth by igniting their passion, unfolding the limitless opportunities in our nation and helping them create tomorrow’s future today in order to awaken the entrepreneurial spirit in our youths so as to make them self-sufficient and employers of labor.
Ibom Ignite Conference is a vision of the PDP Governorship Candidate, Pastor Umo Eno birthed years before his foray into politics. The programme is targeted at the youth and clarion call to them to maximize their potential.
A three-day was a platform for the PDP flagbearer to empower youths with take-off grants for their business.
Among beneficiaries were Ndifreke Akpekong, CEO of Tec Foods and dealers in the distribution of whole cereals, grains, food supplements, and agriculture, Tochukwu Lorenzo, an artist cum interior decorator, and Ruth Bassey, a chemical Engineering graduate and CEO of Enriched Bakery all got N500, 000 each.
Other beneficiaries of the grant, Mary Ekpo, a fashion designer, Precious Titus, a Stage decorator and Events Manager, and another fashion designer Blessing Udofot, all got N300, 000 grants as support for their business.
Making his remarks at the closing ceremony, the visioner, Pastor Umo Eno who thanked God for a successful 2022 edition of the Ibom Ignite Conference, commended members of the planning committee for doing a good job.
He appreciated participants for attending the event and staying through the three days of the conference and equally thanked resource persons for imparting knowledge to the participants.
The event had his wife Mrs Patience Umo Eno and the Secretary to the State Government Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem and Commissioners among others in attendance.
The mental capacity-building conference took place from Wednesday September 14 to Friday September 16 at Ibom Hall.
