Ebonyi state Governor, David Umahi, former Super Eagle stars, Kanu Nwankwo and Peter Rufai, Wednesday, charged Nigerian youths to contribute to nation building.
They made the call in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state capital, during the end of five-day Endsars Youth Summit, organized by the state government for the youths.
They hinted that it is only discipline and hardwork that can help the youths to overcome their challenges and excel in their endeavors
Umahi and Nwankwo narrated how their poor family backgrounds provoked them to work hard to change their family status.
“I was born in a very poor family; my father was a poor farmer and my mother was also a poor farmer. All their children struggled to go to school and they eventually did. We suffered in life, we ate roasted cassava. We struggled all through and we insisted that we must change our situation and we did it. So, every youth that is focused and disciplined will overcome challenges in life”, Umahi stated.
Nwankwo, who described sports as biggest tool that unites, gives peace, bridge gap and brings good health, noted that, “In everything you do in life, you have to be disciplined no matter how you see yourself, no matter how big or small you are, even in business, you have to be disciplined. Without being disciplined, you cannot achieve anything. If you are playing football and you have the talent, without discipline, you cannot succeed. So, focus on what you are doing, don’t let anybody distract you because if you have a talent and work hard towards it, you will achieve your goals.
“Everybody is saying Papilo! Papilo!! Papilo!!! Papilo is from a very poor family. I will tell you that we ate garri in the morning, garri in the afternoon and garri in the evening. We cooked soup without meat or fish, all we are looking is for something that will enter our stomachs.
“Government cannot do everything for us. When Papilo started, I didn’t depend on government. If you are waiting for government to do those things that you are supposed to , my brother, that poverty and hunger will still be there”.
In his remarks, former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, advised the youths to engage in meaningful careers like sports which he said breaks barriers, and bridge gaps.
He reiterated that while they choose their careers, they must marry them with education to see the beauty of such careers.