By Valentine Amanze
The Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Anambra State former Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, has decried the continued castigation of the Nigerian youths, insisting that what they need most is support.
Obi gave the advice at the African Economic Congress held at Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, yesterday.
The former governor lamented that because of the cumulative effects of bad leadership, basic things that would aid the young ones to succeed were sadly absent in Nigeria, thus forcing Nigerians to seek greener pastures in other countries.
Besides, Obi was optimistic that the Nigerian ypuths would survive the hardship if they remained focused.
His words: “Remain focused at all times, even when the combination of economic, social and political factors are pushing you towards failure. Do not, for any reason, remain where they dropped you.”
On failure in businesses, Obi said that it was not necessarily negative, but part of the experience that would help one to do better in future.
He disclosed that some organizations deliberately engaged those that have ran failed businesses on the belief that they were conversant with factors that make businesses fail.
The organizers of the event represented by Nancy Iloh said that the decision to invite Obi was part of their long-term plans of getting successful, honest and dedicated Nigerians to mentor the youths and encourage them along the thorny paths of life. She said that the group believed that listening to Obi had the capacity of removing those thorns.
Referring to Obi’s exemplary conduct while in office, she said that the ex-governor set the record of leaving over N75 billion in the coffers of Anambra State as part of his handover items.