Nigerian youths have been challenged to learn how to perfect their skills for maximum impact on the society, as well as for their individual development.
This challenge was given by prominent academic, Prof. Pat Utomi, while speaking to a large gathering of young people at “The Gathering of Unstoppable Achievers” conference organised by the Deeper Life Bible Church at its headquarters in Gbagada, Lagos.
In the words of Prof. Utomi, who centred his speech on the steps to transformative leadership and its overall impact on the nation, “The challenge of progress is not what we can express but what we can create value out of our imagination, which people are willing to pay for.”
He implored all to learn the art of self-mastery, saying that “as a 21st Century youth of this country, you can make Nigeria rise again but this can only be achieved when we have true leaders who know how to address the pains of the people and leaders should know that this is the time to change course.”
He identified two key skills that every Nigerian youth must cultivate — Entrepreneurship and Leadership. While encouraging everyone to cultivate the habit of reading which opens the mind to life lessons, Prof. Utomi decried a situation where the average Nigerian youth seeks instant gratification instead of taking the time to constantly practice a thing to attain perfection.
In his own remark, the General Superintendent of Deeper Life Bible Church, Dr. William Kumuyi noted that Nigeria was blessed with a large youth force that if, directed in the right paths, could turn the state of the nation around.
The renowned preacher explained why he was led to organize the program,“I see a great majority of this number disillusioned and unmindful of the great potential God has endowed them with. This often makes them fall prey to ungodly and anti-social tendencies and unscrupulous so-called role models and instructors, who take undue advantage of their simplicity and ignorance. Many of our youth are engaged in manifold damning activities that are sure to destroy their potential and stop them from reaching and achieving their God-given goals and dream.”
He expressed gratitude for the large turnout of government officials, school owners and teachers at the conference and prayed that the programme would open the mind of the youths to the numerous possibilities available to them and also learn to live with eternity in view.
The event, which took place on Saturday, 22nd of September 2018 recorded a huge turnout of youths, with pupils and students from various primary and secondary schools in Lagos, in their school uniforms trooping to the venue with their teachers and guardians excitedly chatting away as they matched to the venue. The higher education students were not left out also. It was indeed a gathering of youths who refused to be stopped by the continuous shower of rain.
One of the highlights of the day was the mini concert performed by the members of the church youth choir, who showcased their talent both in vocals and dexterity in playing different musical instruments. The crowd was left with a feeling of warmth and hope as the future leaders of Nigeria sang to the glory of God.