The Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI) New Generation Chapters (NGC) has urged Nigerian youths to stop dwelling on past failures and take responsibility for building a better future for Nigeria.

The Fellowship gave the charge at the second edition of the New Generation Chapters (NGC 2.0) summit, themed, “Nigeria: Refocus, Re-emerge and Reposition,” held at the Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos, as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.

The Fellowship said the theme was a call to action for young Nigerians to refocus on issues that matter, re-emerge with great confidence, and reposition themselves to take advantage of available opportunities.

FGBMFI District Coordinator, South West 7, Engr. Sunny Ukpai, said the theme was intended to encourage Nigerians, particularly youths, not to allow past failures and setbacks to determine their future.

He said, “The theme is simply sending a clear message to the nation not to allow the current challenges the country is going through to stop the great things we can achieve for the future. Rather, we should refocus, re-emerge and reposition ourselves.”

Ukpai added, “If we continue dwelling on the challenges of Nigeria, the day will be far spent without achieving anything meaningful. But if we find new ways to make things right, we will achieve great strides.”

Speaking at the conference, Chairman, Africa Prudential Plc, Lady Christabel Onyejekwe, who also serves on the boards of several companies, described Nigeria as a young nation and noted that the youth constitute an important part of the country’s future.

She urged young Nigerians to concentrate on solving the challenges directly before them rather than becoming overwhelmed by the enormity of the nation’s problems.

According to her, by fixing what is before you, one step at a time, Nigeria will be fixed. She challenged young professionals to use their knowledge and skills to develop practical solutions to national problems.

Onyejekwe said, “I believe that in this hall, there are engineers whose innovation can bring lasting solutions to Nigeria’s power challenges. Do not let fear and challenges stop you from moving forward.”

She added: “Nigeria may have many challenges, but life-changing opportunities lie within those challenges. Find one challenge to solve, and we will fix our country one step at a time.”

Also speaking, Founder and Group President, Masters Energy Group, Dr Uchechukwu Ogah, shared his experience of moving from a banking career into entrepreneurship and eventually establishing Masters Energy Group.

Ogah used the experience to emphasise the importance of integrity and value creation, particularly among young professionals and entrepreneurs.

He maintained that sustainable success was closely linked to the value an individual creates for others, urging young Nigerians to build their careers on integrity, competence and service.

For Immediate past President and Group CEO, Transcorp Plc, Valentine Chineto Ozigbo, Nigeria’s development requires more than a change in political leadership; citizens must embrace a renewed sense of responsibility.

He said Nigeria needed “renewed Nigerians, transformed institutions, a credible strategy and leaders who can see beyond present limitations without surrendering their integrity.”

According to him, “The question should no longer be: Who failed Nigeria? Rather, what will I do about Nigeria?”

He further called for a long-term commitment to nation building, saying, “1960 gave us independence. Let 2030 find us having done the hard work of nationhood.”

In a message that drew on biblical examples of leadership and responsibility, Ozigbo urged participants to become people of courage, integrity and vision.

He said, “God is searching for Samuels who can hear, but not merely hear. Samuels who can translate revelation into responsibility.”

He added that people need to remain committed to their values and help build institutions capable of delivering sustainable development.

Speaking on the motivation behind the summit, the Convener and Chairman of the NGC Summit Planning Committee, Psalms Skot, said the programme was part of FGBMFI’s contribution to nation-building.

Skot said the Fellowship wanted to encourage young Christians to become actively involved in solving Nigeria’s challenges rather than remaining on the sidelines.

He explained, “The summit is actually called New Generation Chapters October 1 Summit because Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International wants to contribute to nation building.”