Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno has gone down memory lane, recounting his early struggles after his father’s death many years ago.
The governor while delivering the Convocation Lecture at the seventh convocation of Mountain Top University, Ibafo, Ogun State, disclosed that his father’ death had forced him to hawk soft drinks on the streets of Lagos to support his family.
According to Eno, his late father, a police officer had died, plunging the family into hardship.
“Life became very difficult after my father’s death. I had to help my mother augment the family’s income by hawking soft drinks on the streets of Lagos, even as a Senior Prefect of Victory High School,” the governor said.
Eno said this experience sparked his entrepreneurial spirit and eventually led him to start a hospitality business in Akwa Ibom State.
On Friday, the Press Unit of the Akwa Ibom State Government House in Uyo released a statement where the governor encouraged Nigerian youths to let go of entitlement and the urge for quick success.
He said that technology has changed society and now calls for a creative mindset that is open to challenging old ways of thinking.
“Let me say that we now live in a world shaped by new realities. Technology has pushed past old boundaries, and values that were once seen as unchangeable are no longer the main guide. Groupthink is fading, and there is a growing need to try new things and challenge old ideas,” he said.
“Most of the graduates here are part of Generation X. Many in this group believe in getting quick rewards and, to some degree, have a sense of entitlement.
“They want to achieve success without putting in the corresponding hard work, and most times, they crash and burn.”
Eno said his business grew because of 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.”
He stressed that success comes from honesty and hard work, adding, “You will achieve success only if you are upright in your dealings and guided by ethics and morality, and with faith in God.
“God can do the same for you, but you need to start something, grow it, dream big, and work hard.”
He also said he still remembers the values his parents taught him and his compassion for the poor.
Prof. Daniel Olukoya, the chancellor and General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, praised the governor for inspiring the graduates.
“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,” Prof. Olukoya said.
Prof. Elijah Ayolabi, the vice chancellor of Mountain Top University, also praised Umo Eno for giving the lecture
