The sound of roaring lions and lionesses shattered the serenity of the campus and reverberated across the
serene Nsukka town, in honour of the heroic guest.
Kalu was in the university to deliver an inaugural lecture organized by the National Economic Students Association (NESA) on the theme, Youth Empowerment and Good Governance: Veritable Tool For Economic Development. According to NESA President, Peter Ogbonna, the lecture, which was held in the Nsukka campus of the university, was aimed at “paving way for the development of youths and to adequately prepare them for the challenges ahead.’’
Students of the university, who pride themselves as Great Lions and Lionesses, were overwhelmed by joy that some of them travelled all the way to Enugu to welcome their expected visitor to the ‘lions’ village.’ The event also drew large turnout of dignitaries from various fields of human endeavour, including erudite scholars.
Kalu’s arrival on the campus triggered shouts of joy from the already charged gathering. On mounting the stage, his erudition and insightful presentation won the heart of the crowd, as they yearned for more. He spoke on entrepreneurship, pointing out its essence in the life of the youth and the implications of its non-existence to any nation. He identified the problem of unemployment, which he described as a ‘global challenge.’ He expressed concern on the high rate of unemployment in the country, noting that only a small percent of Nigerian youths are able to get jobs after graduation.
This, he said, was one of the main reasons why Nigerian youths have to imbibe the spirit of entrepreneurship. He noted the high competition in various spheres of life, stressing that “with no guaranteed source of income as an entrepreneur, one may not be able to survive.’’
“Anyone who goes through the tertiary institution should work towards self employment and recruiting others. In fact, the threshold has gone beyond self-employment. The latest trend is to have multiple source of income,” he said.
He further explained the need for diverse source of income for youths, saying, “This is because due to the nature of man, there is the burning desire to keep growing our income base, resources, investments and financial portfolios generally. The society has become so competitive that one source of income or none at all could be disastrous.’’
Kalu spoke further on life after graduation, as he advised students to think outside the box. He advised them not to imbibe the false notion that university education or degree certificate is the key to a bed of roses. Rather than see their degree certificate as a meal ticket, he urged them to be creative outside the campus gate.
“Gone are the days when people survive through the help of others. Each individual must personally and fundamentally sort out himself or herself before seeking external interventions which may not be there’’, he warned.
The former governor emphasized the importance of good governance which, he said, engenders economic development. He explained that economic development would become possible only when there is good governance and youth empowerment. “As long as there is corruption, economic development may remain a mirage. There is great need for all of us, especially the government to work hard and also work together to eliminate poverty’’, he added.
He, therefore, enjoined the federal and state governments to initiate entrepreneurship programmes that would help achieve economic development. He argued that to achieve meaningful development, governments at all levels must consider youth empowerment a priority.
The former governor also identified economic development as a major criterion for national development, saying ‘’if there is no economic stability in the world, there will be no political stability.’’
His words: “Economic development can only be possible when youth empowerment and good governance are firmly rooted, and the true measure of good governance is the ability of a government to realize people’s human rights and deliver sustainable and equitable development.
“As long as there is corruption, economic development may remain a mirage. There is great need for all of us, especially the government to work hard and also work together to eliminate poverty.
“I urge the federal and state governments to make good use of the potentials found in the economic departments in our country because it is the department that should be the centre of research for government at various levels.’’
Dr Kalu encouraged the students to imbibe the spirit of entrepreneurship, saying that was the only guarantee for self-employment.
“Just as the nation is struggling to diversify after more than 52 years of catastrophic dependence on oil, I implore you to begin to think outside the traditional assumptions – the false assumption that university education or degree is the key to a bed of roses’’, he said.
He addressed the students saying, “Your primary goal should be to conquer any environment in which you find yourself, the society is increasingly becoming knowledge-driven and does not have room anymore for the person who cannot think or be innovative no matter the odds.’’
In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Bartho Okolo noted that the theme of the inaugural lecture touched on the well-being of every one present at the occasion.
Okolo, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Prof Polycarp E. Chigbu, also said that the occasion was one for “speaking frankly because His Excellency is known for honestly baring his mind on national issues such as the one on hand.”
The VC noted that Kalu had been in government, adding that “it is on record that you have empowered thousands of people in Abia State; there can, therefore, be no better choice than you to address this audience on this subject.” He noted that the inaugural lecture was a great one that that will address the needs of the general society.
Earlier in his speech, the NESA President, Peter Ogbonna, stated that the choice of Kalu as the inaugural lecturer was because of his numerous achievements in the world of entrepreneurship. In his words, ‘’this choice was not made out of a random search for someone who would be just pleasing to the people. We sought for an exemplary figure, a national patriot, an enigma, a successful and extraordinary business mogul with wealth of experiences and above all someone who understands the importance of the youth to the future of our dear nation, Nigeria.’’
Kalu had come to the UNN with Senator Emmanuel Onwe, former Abia Chief of Staff, Dr Ukaegbu, a retinue of his advisers and aides, including his younger brother Mascot Kalu while Prof Chigbu led the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof T. Ugwu; Dean of General Studies, Prof Ijeoma Ezeonah; HOD Economics department, Prof C. Agu, among other eminent scholars of the institution.
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