The National President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comr. Olushola Ladoja, on Thursday, June 19, lauded an Imo born philanthropist and social media influencer, Hon. Engr. Chizitere Ahubelem (Chizzy Whizzy) for his generous support towards the activities of students in the state.
Ladoja, stated this while presenting a prestigious “Award of Distinguished Patron” to Engr. Ahubelem, during a one-day Students Leadership Conference organized by NANS Joint Campus Council, JCC, Imo State, in conjunction with Imo NANS Stakeholders Forum in Owerri.
The NANS president, added that Chizzy Whizzy’s uncommon concerns and support towards the students had drawn the attention of NANS national leadership hence the honour. He urged him not to relent, and prayed God to replenish him, while charging other well-meaning Nigerians to emulate Engr. Ahubelem.
Ladoja, had earlier in his speech, encouraged student leaders in the state to go beyond advocacy, but to demonstrate good leadership in their various institutions, leveraging the event’s theme: “Transformative Leadership: Building Ethical, Effective and Impactful Leaders in Imo State.”
Clarifying that leadership was about service, Ladoja posited that students as future leaders should acquire the necessary character and competencies to ensure transformation in the country. He thanked the students and stakeholders for the timely conference, urging them to strengthen their efforts.
Responding, Engr. Ahubelem, appreciated NANS for the award, adding that such would spur him to do more for students in the state who have shown gratitude to his benevolence towards them. He encouraged the participants to show exemplary leadership at their various campuses in order to realize the objectives of the event.
In his address, the Chairman, NANS JCC, Imo State/Treasurer, Forum of JCC Chairmen, Comr. Nwosu Stanley, described the event as relevant towards discussing and exploring ways to empower student leaders. He stated that the event would equip the participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to drive positive change and to engage in meaningful discussions on transformative leadership.
On his own, the Imo Chairman, NANS Stakeholders’ Forum, Comr. Chukwuemeka Chikere, expressed joy over the larger turnout. He added that the event was designed to empower NANS leaders in the state with administrative skills to serve as role models to their contemporaries, as he encouraged participants to live up to expectations.
Comr. Chikere, who advised students to embrace good behaviors, however, decried some challenges facing tertiary institutions in the state, including shortage of hotels and deplorable state of access roads, especially the Obinze-FUTO Road. He called for government’s intervention, hailing Governor Hope Uzodimma for his achievements in the state.
In his lecture, the Guest Speaker, Engr. Ikpemo Ogechi, called the event an opportunity for “growth, responsibility and collaboration,” urging student leaders to be calm, focused and with clear direction. He said that good leadership entails sound decision-making, vision, accountability, continous enhancement and the ability to foster unity, resolve conflict, inspire and communicate effectively among others, urging them to imbibe such qualities.
Some of the participants who spoke to our reporter, described the conference as impactful, promising to ensure that their various schools reap its benefits. This was as Students Union Government officials from the nine tertiary institutions in the state that are part of NANS participated.
The respondents included, the Vice-Chairman, Imo State JCC, Comr. Ugwoezumba Nwachukwu Light (Imo State Polytechnic, Omuma); Imo State Chairman, Council of SUG Presidents, Comr. Anyanwu Destiny (K.O Mbadiwe University, Ideato South) and the SUG President, Federal Collage of Land Resources Technology, Oforola, Comr. Okoro Cynthia Chizobam.
