Inspires Youths To Take Action

The Mbano Big Family, a community-based youth development organization in Imo State, celebrated its 5th anniversary with the Mbano Youth 5.0 Summit, a vibrant gathering of young leaders, educators, and development advocates held in Owerri, Imo State.

This year’s summit, themed “The 21st Century Mbano Youth – A Reflective Action Plan,” reflected on the organization’s five years of impact and its ongoing mission to educate, enlighten, and empower young people across Mbano.

The convener of the initiative, Mr. Magnus Agbake, described the event as a platform for young people to discuss practical ways to build a better future for themselves without waiting for government support.

“This is a call for young people to help themselves and others, no matter how small their beginnings,” Agbake said. “You don’t need to wait for sponsors or elders. Start with what you have people will support you when they see your consistency. Not everyone started big; some began from scratch and grew into great success stories.”

According to him, the Mbano Youth Summit serves as a mentorship and empowerment forum that encourages self-employment, business innovation, and skill development among youth.

Representing the Vice Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, Associate Professor Ndidi Amaka Uwazuruike, Acting Director of Career Services and Counselling, commended the initiative as “super inspiring” and praised the determination of Mbano youths to build themselves and their communities.

Uwazuruike also disclosed that the world has moved from certificates to skills, noting that today's economy values creativity from catering and fashion design to technology and remote work. Young people must develop practical skills that help them thrive and contribute meaningfully to society.

Delivering a lecture on Gender Equity in Education, Employment, and Leadership, Harriet Ijeomah, Managing Director of Harsco Global, called on the youth to champion women’s inclusion and development in leadership and governance.

She emphasized the importance of supporting the Reserved Seat Bill for Women, which seeks to increase women’s representation in political offices and decision-making spaces.

Gender equity is not a women’s fight alone,” Ijeomah noted. “It’s a collective responsibility that drives fairness, innovation, and inclusive growth. When women rise, communities thrive. Youths must support this cause by advocating, mentoring, and promoting equal opportunities for women.

Participants at the event expressed deep appreciation for the summit’s impact. Hope Bunka, one of the attendees, described it as “a life-changing platform” that motivated her to act.

We can’t keep waiting for the government,” she said. “Every youth has what it takes to start small, grow, and make a difference. This summit reminded us that we are the platform we need.”

The event concluded with a renewed call for collective responsibility and youth-driven solutions to unemployment, insecurity, and underdevelopment across Mbano communities and beyond.

Other dignitaries present are Princess Miriam Onuoha, Federal House of Representative representing Okigwe Zone, Dr. Uchenna Ekwelike, Executive secretary to Imo State Health Insurance Policy, Engr. Diala Chibukem, Executive Director IHTEF, Isikaku Ndubuisi Kingsley, a Content Creator, Bro Emmanuel Okemmadu, Gospel Musician and Others

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An industrialist and gospel crusader, Evangelist (Dr) Leo Obi Nwigwe, of Amawu, Mbutu, Aboh Mbaise LGA, Imo State, has reinstated his stance that the South East could only develop when Igbo businessmen, investors and entrepreneurs bring their businesses home. 

According to the chairman, chief executive officer of LEOSKY Services Nigeria Limited, an oil  servicing and consulting company, "South East can do better than China, Japan and most Eastern European countries combined if our wards invest home. I still remember that few years ago, when the Arewa Youth Movement threatened Ndigbo to quit northern Nigeria, it was officially estimated that South East's investments in the north alone was over N45trn. 

"If that huge amount of money about Ignoring investments could come from only northern Nigeria, imagine that of Lagos and sure it will be double. That of Port Harcourt will be about 75% bigger than that figure. Of course, that of West Africa and elsewhere in the Diaspora will be out of this world. 

"Just think of what the Igbo nation will  look like if all these businesses, investments and enterprises are located in our domain. Let us not even say all, let us approximate that 60% of what we configured here as Igbo investments outside our region  is located in the South East zone. I tell you we would have the capacity and capability of challenging China in technology and even over taking Japan in industrialization". 

Nwigwe who also doubles as the mayor of Mbutu, charged the South East Governors Forum to work assiduously towards making the zone attractive to Igbo investors in order for them to think home. 

He said, "I am an investor and my businesses are equally domiciled in the Igbo country. There are few of us who have toed this path of patriotism not minding all its risk and disadvantages. 

" However, I can tell you that some of our businessmen outside Igbo nation have continually pointed at unfriendly environment as the reason for their limiting their businesses outside the South East. On this note, I therefore call on the Igbo governors to use the South East Governors Forum to make the region attractive for businesses.

" They should work hard to eliminate insecurity by initiating people - oriented projects and establish programmes that are beneficial to the poor. When this is done, the youths will be meaningfully engaged and in the process discouraged from taking to crime. This way, criminality will be drastically curtailed and our people will bring their businesses home. When  this noble and lofty dream is realized, I tell you, Igbo nation will flourish and prosper". 

He lauded the Igbo spirit of industry, invention and ingenuity even never say die which he said is critical to the South East's survival  and struggles.