2017 Junior Chamber International Conference and Youth Summit, hosted by former Abia governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, in his Camp Neya countryhome in Igbere, ended on Sunday, in glamorous style.
The event, which kicked off on Friday, September 15, 2017, was well-attended by members of Ikoyi JCI and several youth organisations.
Highlights of the three-day event were lectures, peace rally and certificate of attendance presentations.
Delivering his lecture titled “The role of an active youth in the society,” during the opening ceremony held at auditorium of Neya Camp, Kalu charged the youths to focus on their passion because it is where their destiny lies.
He said “youths must work hard, stay hard, plan hard, save themselves from the headache of gossiping, the headache of creating news that are false and the headache of having the urge to pull people down.”
Kalu recounted his days as a student and how he emerged Student Union president, despite being a Christian student in a university with Muslim majority.
“In the University of Maiduguri, we had 99 percent nothern Muslims and a christian like me, who belonged to an infinitesimal ratio was elected. Sometimes, I try to figure out when things will return to normality; when we will have leadership without sentiment,” he added.
The audience were thrilled when the former governor went practical by telling his life stories. In amazement, the youths listened to him as he shared his childhood experiences and his experiences as Abia state governor.
He advised the youths to stay clear of get-rich-quick syndrome and made efforts to disabuse their minds against desperation in attaining life success. The former governor maintained that time, hardwork and consistency is important in the ride to success.
“I have been in business for over 30 years. I started with a small funiture company and some other small businesses. It is not that these businesses all grew in a day. Every business need time, patience, hardwork and consistency. In addition, don’t think you are still young to contribute to the nation’s economic growth. Everybody, including the youths, have a role to play in the economic development of our nation.” he said.
Kalu had earlier led the youths on a peace rally, in response to recent hostilities in the South East. Participants of the peaceful demonstration, which was reported beyond the country, wore white uniform.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the JCI summit Coordinator, JCI Senator Chibuike Akujobi thanked the 2017 JCI Ikoyi President, Mr. Chikelue Oguejiofor and JCI 2017 National President for honouring the event and taking the group to a higher height.
Akujobi also expressed JCI’s gratitude to the former governor for hosting the annual summit.
He said they weren’t surprised about Kalu’s support, and added that they were convinced of his youth-friendliness, long before they him.
He also said Kalu’s support to the JCI summit has shown his support, in their readiness to take the mantle of leadership in various positions in the country.
The event ended with presentation of certificates of attendance to the participants.