The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has charged Nigerian youths to dream big, embrace hard work, and adopt creativity as essential tools for success, cautioning against entitlement mentality and the pursuit for quick success.
The Governor made the charge while delivering a Lecture at the 7th Convocation Ceremony of Mountain Top University, Ibafo, Ogun State.
Governor Eno said the modern world, reshaped by technological advancement and the breaking of known boundaries, requires a creative mindset that challenges long-held norms.
He urged young people to engage in meaningful ventures, demonstrate passion, and embrace diligence as pathways to sustainable success.
The Governor commended the Chancellor and General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Professor Daniel Kolawole Olukoya, and the university management for their commitment to “raising a generation of morally upright, intellectually sound, and visionary nation-builders.”
Drawing from motivational author Simon Sinek’s principle of “dream big, start small, and most of all, start,” the Governor stressed that growth must be built on strong character, morality, transparency, honesty, and humility, while daring to be different.
Charging the 2025 graduands to pursue excellence through service rooted in Christian values, Governor Eno said:
“Let me state here that we are living in a world shaped by new realities, a world where known boundaries have been breached and expanded by advancements in technology, where values once considered sacrosanct are no longer the defining ethos, and where groupthink is rapidly dissolving and being replaced by the need to do something daring, something different, and something that challenges long-held norms.
“The majority of the graduands here belong to the now-famous Generation Z. Quite a number of people in this generation believe in the concept of immediate gratification and, to some extent, an entitlement mentality.
“They want to achieve success without putting in the corresponding hard work, and most times, they crash and burn,” he said.
The Governor recounted his background as the son of a police officer who died in active service, recalling how he supported his mother by hawking on the streets of Lagos while a student at Victory High School, Ikeja.
He said the experience laid the foundation for his entrepreneurial journey, which later led to the establishment of one of the largest hospitality businesses in Akwa Ibom State.
“We did so by providing world-class service with honesty, integrity, and faith in the products and services we rendered,” he said.
Governor Eno attributed his success to faith in God and ethical conduct, noting that the path to success is rarely smooth.
“You will achieve success only if you are upright in your dealings and guided by ethics and morality, and with faith in God,” he stated.
Reflecting on his humble beginnings, he said, “Whenever I remember my small beginnings and how God stepped in to arrange my path and the people who led me to the point He had destined for me, I am in awe of His mercies and grace.
“God can and will do the same for you, but you must learn to start something, grow something, dream of something, and put in the hard work.”
Governor Eno highlighted welfare programmes of his administration, including the construction of over 335 compassionate homes for widows and vulnerable persons, monthly stipends of ₦50,000 to elders across the state, and free food vouchers for the needy.
In his remarks, the Chancellor of Mountain Top University, Professor Daniel Kolawole Olukoya, thanked Governor Eno for inspiring the graduands.
“Your presence dignifies this occasion; your words inspire this generation; and your example reminds us that leadership can be both competent and values driven,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Elijah Adebowale Ayolabi, also praised the Governor for delivering what he described as a stimulating convocation lecture.
Mountain Top University graduated 282 undergraduates, including 42 First Class graduates, alongside 64 Postgraduate Diploma and Master’s degree holders, as well as nine doctoral graduates at the 2025 convocation.