– Urges youths to shun sycophancy, face their future
It was indeed an epoch making event last weekend when the traditional ruler of Amafuo autonomous community, in Oru West LGA of Imo State, Eze (Prof) Peter Ebigbo invited the Chief Executive Officer, of AIFY Global Aluminium Company Ltd, Engr. (Chief) Ifeanyi Nwagu to have a chat with the youths of his community, with the aim of inspiring them to greater heights.
Speaking at the occasion, the Umuire, Orlu born philanthropist, who recently commissioned a road he constructed for his community, advised the youths to abstain from negative vices and concentrate their energies on how to rediscover and add value to themselves instead of following politicians about for peanuts.
According to him, God bestowed a unique and life changing gift on everybody “but the problem is that, most people often fail to discover their potentials, hence, they keep pursuing shadow”.
He recalled how easy life was when he graduated from the university, as a mechanical engineer. “There were few facilities that accommodated virtually most of us then. For instance, I got a job with Shell and later went over to Slumberger where I worked for a while, before traveling overseas, where I lived and worked for over 30 years”.
He noted with dismay that corruption has eaten deep and destroyed the fabrics of the nation, hence there are now many facilities but very few opportunities that cannot accommodate the teeming educated but jobless youths. He said, “all these are happening because the youths who should be vibrant and proactive, have remained docile and kept mute, instead of condemning the vices. They follow and sing the praises of corrupt and dishonest politicians that have looted the treasury, distorted and polluted their future”.
He regretted that politics has, instead of improving the welfare of the people, unleashed unmitigated wickedness on them. People are now killed and maimed to get power, while youths are sponsored as thugs. He averred that politics was formerly an avenue for acquiring power for service to humanity. But now, there are reports of killings in Rivers State, Borno, etc, all in the name of politics. “And who are used in perpetrating all these inhuman and barbaric acts, the youths”. He opined that until the youths realize themselves, do the needful and refuse to be used as willing tools by some of these disgruntled and wicked politicians, 2019 will be worst.
He reassured the youths of Amafuo community of his commitment to their welfare and willingness to assist them actualize their dreams, as long as they have good and genuine programmes. However, for a start, he awarded university scholarship to brilliant students of the community, from first year to the final year and promised to make it a yearly affair.
The astute philanthropist also assured beneficiaries of the scholarship of gainful employment, immediately after graduation, either in his company where he has over 700 employees or elsewhere.
The highpoint of the occasion was the masquerade dance, which the community uses to welcome high profile visitors. The traditional ruler of the community, who was also Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, appreciated Engr. Nwagu for the support, advice and encouragement; he has given to his community. He, with members of his cabinet offered fervent prayers for Engr. Nwagu, his family and wished them well.
Thereafter, the youth leader of Amafuo Community, Ugochukwu Ebigbo, commended Engr. Nwagu for his incisive speech, noting that the entrepreneur’s life is a testimony that will definitely motivate and inspire the youths in the right direction.
