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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Stakeholders in Bayelsa State have stressed the importance of mentorship to guide young people to realize their full potential and achieve greatness.
The stakeholders stressed this point in Yenagoa, at a one -day mentorship programme organized by the Network of Bayelsa Professionals (NBP) in honour of Prof. Dimie Ogoina, one of the recipients of Times 100 Most Influential People for 2023.
Speaking at the event with the theme: “Inspiring Excellence: A Mentorship Experience”, the Technical Adviser to Governor Douye Diri on Public Health Education, Bishop Doutimi Egbegi, said having the right mentors and sticking to their advice, will provide accelerated growth for young people in the society.
Egbegi while applauding Ogoina, also advised young people, especially those in the medical field to go through life with the mindset that they can achieve anything they put their heart to.
“This is a call to make a lasting impact in the world by providing solutions that have never existed before. The beautiful thing about this award is that we can all see that Prof. Ogoina worked hard to get to where he is today, and that should serve as a source of inspiration to all students that they can achieve the highest height in their careers”, he said.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Bayelsa State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Appah Williams while noting that the state government was working to ensure a robust healthcare delivery system encouraged students to aim for excellence and be passionate about their work which is the key to making a global impact.
On her part, Chairman, Governing Council, Bayelsa State College of Health, Otuogidi, Mrs Victoria Denenu, called on Bayelsans to take a cue from Ogoina in order to bring in more goodwill to the state.
In their separate remarks, Director Strategic Communications of the NBP, Mr Deinmobofa Tantua and the Director Strategy and Programmes, Dr. Eweke Emmanuel, said the event was organized as a way of encouraging professionalism in every field of endeavour.
They also advocated for more mentoring sessions to properly guide young people in the state to choose the right career path and stay committed to their dreams and aspirations.
They lauded the state government for also celebrating the renowned Professor of Medicine and Chief Medical Director of the Niger Delta University, as well as for prioritizing quality healthcare delivery in the state.
Ogoina, an infectious disease expert in remarks to the audience, who were basically medical students from higher institutions in the state, listed having the right mentor, perseverance, dutifulness, commitment, dedication, passion and interest as some of the key factors to success.
According to him while mentorship is very crucial to career progression, being passionate which propels creativity is also important.
“My recognition came five years after I made an observation and it came in an environment called Okolobiri in Bayelsa state, which tells you that environment does not limit excellence.
“What is important is for you to apply your best wherever you are and you can be recognized everywhere, even by the universe,” he added.
