Ex-Gov Emmanuel Urges Nigerians Not to Lose Hope Amid Rising Challenges

Okon Bassey in Uyo

Immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the face of the current economic challenges in the country. 

The foŕmer gòvernor gave the advice while speaking as a guest lecturer at the fifth convocation ceremony of the Mountain Top University, Ogun State.

Nigerians, he said must challenge their minds to rise above the myriads of challenges facing the world today.

 “The world we are living in today is characterized by a very high pace and scale of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity.

“It is important to note that no nation is immune from the challenges of this present day.

“Many are losing hope because of the enormity of the unresolved issues being faced on a daily basis. Many are filled with fear at the uncertainty of what the future holds.

“But hope is the one attribute we must never lose,” he stressed.

The former gòvernor charged students to take time out to have a vision for their lives, insisting that one must have a mental picture of what future he wants to create. 

Speaking on the topic, ‘Optimising Your Potential in a Challenging Future,’ Emmanuel said,  “You can hold onto a vision of what is yet to come, you can boost your chances at achieving your dreams and being successful.”

He recounted how he conceptualised the idea of a state-owned airline for Akwa Ibom State, even before he assumed office in 2015. 

In addition to the Ibom Airline presently considered one of the best in Africa, he recounted how he also followed his vision of transforming Akwa Ibom into a financial, economic, and technological hub. 

Highlighting that no one can progress beyond his mindset, Emmanuel urged people to embrace a growth mindset, “accept that all you know about any particular subject matter is not all that exists and be open to engage with and accept superior information.

“Your life will ultimately be a representation of your belief system, your philosophies, and your ideology. No one can make progress beyond his mindset.”

He cautioned the youths against mediocrity, explaining that being of moderate or low quality, value, ability, or performance will take no one far. 

“Become a person known for excellence. The challenge of gender, racial, ethnic, or whatever biases only count at the average quality level, when you become excellent at whatever you do, these biases become absolutely irrelevant.

“Excellence puts you above all biases. Be so good at what you do that you become almost indispensable,” Emmanuel said.