ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Enugu State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Lloyd Ekweremadu, has urged Nigeria students to embrace confidence and independent thinking.
He noted that confidence was built through mentorship, adding that when one is well mentored, his confidence would grow.
The Commissioner gave the charge during the 2023/2024 Mentorship Day Programme organised by the management of the Godfrey Okoye University (GOUNI) Enugu.
According to him, confidence means the feeling of self-assurance arising from an appreciation of one’s own ability or quality.
Speaking on the topic, “Fostering Confidence and Independent Thinking: Empowering Students for Expanding Professional Networks and choices“, the commissioner advised the teachers and the students to be committed to being mentors and mentees.
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He explained that mentorship would help them uplift one another in their pursuit of confidence, independent thought, and the expansive networks that would lead to varied definitions of success.
He said, “It is clear that confidence arises from an appreciation of one’s own abilities or qualities. Confidence is not a gift bestowed upon a fortunate few; it is a skill, honed through persistence, reflection, and resilience.
“For me it begins with understanding and accepting ourselves, recognizing our strengths, and acknowledging areas where we can grow.”
He encouraged the students to work on their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, which according to him comes by self-reflecting and becoming self-aware.
Speaking further, he told the students that confidence was contagious, saying, “Your journey through academia and beyond is a canvas. Paint it boldly with your actions, decisions, and the continuous pursuit of excellence.
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“Remember, confidence is contagious; by embodying it, you inspire those around you to do the same.
“Independent thinking is the ability to question, to analyse, and to make decisions based on one’s own reasoned conclusions,” he stressed.
He also urged the students to see every interaction as an opportunity to learn something new, to offer help, and to establish connections that could last for a lifetime.
The commissioner also stated that fostering confidence and independent thinking was paramount in empowering the students to expand their professional networks and choices.
On his part, the Vice Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Christian Anieke, admonished students to build confidence and encourage themselves by making the change the world was looking for.
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He said, “Having confidence in yourself, many of you lack that and I know you are smart, but build confidence.
“Being shy is not a virtue, especially from an undergraduate and future graduate. So work hard on your self confidence“.
Earlier in his open remarks, Anieke represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Gozie Okoye urged the students to take mentorship very seriously.
According to him, mentorship is one way the school management uses to compliment their teaching skills and also an avenue where students are given opportunity to relate with their mentors.
“It also offers you an opportunity to ask questions that can encourage them to maximize their stay in the school so they don’t feel lost in the campus.
On her part, Ndukwe said that the mentors were obligated to build confidence and independency in the students, to ensure mental well being of the students, among others
Speaking on the topic, “Empowering Students: Unveiling the Objectives and Resources of the GOUNI/IECE Mentorship Programme“, She explained that the mentorship programme was designed to support students in navigating the unity and expanding their professional network.
She further urged students to ensure they were assigned to a mentor, noting that, “the mentors will guide the students through their academic and personal development in order to shape you for future opportunities.