At a gathering filled with hope, music, and political fire, Senate President Godswill Akpabio told young Nigerians not to lose faith in the country even in the face of hardship.
He charged them to become active players in the rebuilding of Nigeria, saying change begins with small acts of kindness and personal responsibility.
The event, tagged “An Uncommon Evening with the Senate President,” held at the APC Youth House, Abuja, brought together vibrant youth leaders, stakeholders, and party loyalists under one roof. It was organised by APC National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel.
Akpabio, while addressing the crowd, admitted that the country’s current challenges are real but not insurmountable. He said young Nigerians must shift from complaints to contribution.
“Don’t mind the situation you find today. The poverty around you today, you shall see them no more. Just believe strongly and have faith in your country,” he said.
In his passionate speech, Akpabio urged youths to “start small” by doing the right things – like cleaning their communities, showing love to neighbours, and being examples in society.
“The world wasn’t built in a day. If you’re discouraged, do something about it. Don’t wait to be a leader tomorrow; you are a leader today.”
“Anger Pushed Me Into Politics” – A Personal Revelation
In a rare moment of vulnerability, the former Akwa Ibom governor shared what drove him into politics. It wasn’t ambition, he said – it was anger at poverty.
“If you are not angry with the situation of your family, assuming you were born into a poor home, you will not be able to change that home.”
Akpabio said that burning desire for change gave him the energy to join politics and try to create opportunities where there were none.
He didn’t fail to speak glowingly of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as the most stable political platform in the country. According to him, APC is the only party with a clear transformational agenda and the structure to see it through.
“APC is not an accident. It’s a well-thought-out dream. It is a vehicle for leadership, transformation, and change.”
He called on youths in the APC to stop seeing themselves as future leaders, but present ones, and take responsibility for uniting Nigeria.
