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From Isaac Job, Uyo
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has charged younger generation on high dreams and engage themselves in meaningful ventures showing passion as well as hard work to experience God’s upliftment to unexpected height in life .
Eno noted that the contemporary society is reshaped by advancement in technology which breaks known boundaries with changes and creative mindset that dare to challenge existing old norms.
He therefore urged Nigerian youths to shun entitlement mentality and quest for short cut to success.
Eno who delivered convocation lecture at Mountain Top University Obsfo in Ogun state on the topic : Raising a A Generation of Morally Upright, Intellectually Sound and Visionary Nation Builders” commended the institution’s Chancellor and founder of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Professor Daniel Olukoya and his management team for raising a generation of morally upright and intellectually sound youths needed for nation building.
Eno who drew his central idea in the lecture from a motivational author, Simon Sinek’s book titled “dream big, start small, and most of all, start” concluded that starting small to grow big, one must be of impeccable character, shaped by a deep sense of morality, transparency, honesty, and humility, “and above all, dare to be different in approach and execution.
Eno used an analogy of his life journey as a pastor, entrepreneur, and transformational governor to charge the 2025 graduating students of the institution to provide selfless service centred on Christian virtues and values to excel.
“Let me state here that we are living in a world shaped by new realities, a world where known boundaries have been breached and expanded by advancements in technology, where values once considered sacrosanct are no longer the defining ethos, and where groupthink is rapidly dissolving and replaced by the need to do something daring, different, and something that challenges long-held norms.
“The majority of the graduating students here belong to the now-famous Generation X. Quite a number of people in this generation believe in the concept of immediate gratification and, to some extent, an entitlement mentality.
“They want to achieve success without putting in the corresponding hard work, and most times, they crash and burn.”
Sharing his story as a son to a police officer who died in the line of duty, he recounted his days at Victory High School, Ikeja, in the early 80s, when he had to help his mother to augment family’s income by hawking soft drinks on the streets of Lagos though he was a Senior Prefect of the school.
He said that foundation was the beginning of his entrepreneurial spirit, which later saw him run one of the largest hospitality conglomerates in his home state.
“We did so by providing world-class service with honesty, integrity, and faith in the products and services we rendered” he noted.
According to him, the growth of his business was made possible by his “implicit faith in the Invisible Hands of God to bring destiny helpers who would propel me to the heights God had destined for me.”
Eno reminded the graduating class that the road to success is not an all rosy one adding that one will achieve success only if he is upright in dealings and guided by ethics and morality with faith in God.
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“Whenever I remember my small beginnings and how God stepped in to arrange my path and the people who led me to the point He had destined for me, I am in awe of His mercies and grace.”
“God can and will do the same for you, but you must learn to start something, grow something, dream of something, and put in the hard work.”
Eno said despite his present roles as a minister of the Gospel, an entrepreneur, and a politician, he has not forgotten the grounding he received from his parents, the humility he wears like a badge of honour, and a deep sense of compassion for the poor and the downtrodden.
“Today, our administration has built over 335 compassionate homes, fully furnished with solar power and borehole facilities, and donated them to widows and the most needy among us.
“Every month, we give ₦50,000 to 600 elders drawn from all 368 wards of our state on a rotational basis.
“We have provided free food vouchers to the most vulnerable”, he said, while going on to list several other welfare programmes his administration has put forward for Akwa Ibom people.
In his remarks , the Chancellor and General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Professor Daniel Kolawole Olukoya appreciated the guest lecturer for inspiring the graduating students.
“Today, we specially honour and thank our Convocation Lecturer, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, for accepting to be part of this historic celebration.
“Your presence dignifies this occasion; your words inspire this generation; and your example reminds us that leadership can be both competent and values driven.
“We appreciate your heart for people, your passion for development, and your willingness to invest time in the future of Nigerian youth.
“Your Excellency, we pray that the Almighty God will strengthen you, grant you wisdom beyond your years, give you peace in governance, and establish your work in Akwa Ibom State for enduring progress in Jesus’ name”, Prof Olukoya declared”.
