Youth Are Not Useless, They Are Used Less” — Rosemary Ezeani

The South East Student Entrepreneurship and Innovation Conference (SESEI Conference 2025) was ignited with passion and purpose as Mrs. Rosemary Ezeani, Director of the Oluebube Charity Foundation (OCF), delivered a keynote that left participants inspired and reflective.

Speaking to a gathering of young entrepreneurs, innovators, and student leaders, Mrs. Ezeani made a bold declaration: “Youth are not useless, they are used less.” Her statement instantly struck a chord, drawing applause and admiration from the audience.

According to her, society too often overlooks the ingenuity, energy, and resilience of young people, relegating them to the sidelines of development rather than making them central to nation-building. She emphasized that the biggest challenge facing Nigeria and Africa at large is not the absence of youth capacity, but the lack of platforms, opportunities, and trust given to them.

“Everywhere we look, young people are breaking boundaries — in business, technology, humanitarian service, and creative industries. What they need is not sympathy, but structure; not tokenism, but trust; not pity, but partnership,” Mrs. Ezeani said.

She further urged government institutions, private sector leaders, and humanitarian organizations to prioritize youth-focused investments, describing them as the most valuable resource any society can have. Drawing from her experience with the Oluebube Charity Foundation, she noted that countless young Nigerians have demonstrated that with mentorship, funding, and exposure, they can transform not just their communities but the nation at large.

The Oluebube Charity Foundation, under her leadership, has consistently rolled out initiatives designed to give youths a voice and a platform. From educational support to humanitarian outreach and empowerment programs, the foundation has remained committed to ensuring that young people are not left behind in conversations about progress.

At SESEI 2025, Mrs. Ezeani’s message went beyond rhetoric — it became a rallying cry. She reminded the audience that empowering youth is not charity but an investment with generational returns. “If we keep saying the future belongs to the youth but fail to empower them today, then we are deceiving ourselves. The youth are the present — they are the solution bearers we need now,” she concluded.

Her address reinforced the core vision of the SESEI Conference: to unlock the potential of student entrepreneurs and innovators, positioning them as agents of transformation across Nigeria. For many in attendance, her words served as a challenge to take up responsibility, embrace creativity, and refuse to be sidelined in the journey of building a better future.