Valentine Ozigbo, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, frontrunner ahead of the November 6, 2021, governorship election in Anambra state, has rounded off his three-day town hall meetings with over 2,000 PDP delegates from all the 326 wards in the southeastern state.
The ‘mother of all town hall meetings’ came to a colourful end on Friday, June 4, 2021, when the respected business mogul philanthropist had an extraordinary session with the 326 PDP ward youth leaders in Anambra state at Emmaus House, Awka.
In his high energy welcome speech, Ozigbo appreciated the party’s youth leaders for all their efforts to see that the PDP’s youth wing is running smoothly and properly coordinated.
Ozigbo, the founder of Valentine Chineto Ozigbo, VCO, Foundation, restated his commitment to empowering the youths, describing them as the hope and future of our world. He also used the opportunity to remind them of their essential role during elections.
“I consider today’s session as the most important because I’m sitting right here with the direct beneficiaries of every election,” Ozigbo said.
“The success and longevity of every society depend hugely on how they manage their younger generations. It is, therefore, one of my most cherished moments, sitting and dialoguing our future together.
“My development initiatives are centred around the youths because I understand the fundamental role of the youths in the transition of a successful society.
“I understand that the best way we can get it right as a people is by reshaping our children’s future by giving them solid upbringing and empowerments today,” he said.
Ozigbo, who is the immediate past President and Group CEO of Transcorp Plc, recounted his partnerships with the youths through talent hunt, business plan contests, skill acquisition programs, and other youth empowerment initiatives. However, he acknowledged the enormous untapped youth potential in the state with disappointment and attributed the development to “failed leadership”.
“I have a special interest in the youths and have partnered with them in very productive ways. I have always used my position to attract opportunities that will benefit the youths,” Ozigbo said.
“As the chairman of Feet ‘N’ Tricks International, I have organized the Nigerian and African Freestyle Football Championships, where thousands of sports-loving youths came together to show their talents. An Anambra boy, Blessed Ezeakabudu emerged as our first ever Nigerian champion.
“My youth development outreach also saw the birth of Mbem, Ogene, and Oja competitions, a cultural fiesta that brings the youth together. Through this initiative, we were able to bring to the limelight unique young talents who did not have the platform to showcase what they can do before now.
“Since launching the VCO Foundation in 2014, I have also organized the Akalabo talent hunt and business plan competition to empower the youths of my home communities. The exceptional ones get seed funding and grants from our foundation and do so well in their chosen endeavours.
“As the Chairman of Unusual Praise for 2018, Africa’s largest Catholic music concert, I strategically introduced Unusual Entrepreneur, a business idea that brings together thousands of young people under the mentorship of renowned business experts, captains of industries, and successful entrepreneurs. Again, seed funding and grants were given by exceptional participants who have continued to enjoy guidance and mentorship from the experts to date.
“I was willing to go this far in my youth development initiatives because I strongly believe that the continuity of our success as a people depends on what we do for our youths today. I am therefore particularly urging you, the young delegates, to see this election as your project. Therefore, let us eschew sentiments and vote for wisely, knowing that our votes today will determine our well-being tomorrow,” Ozigbo concluded.
Present at the meeting were all PDP youth leaders at the ward and local government levels, led by Comrade Ogomegbunam Izukanne, PDP state youth leader in Anambra State as well as all LG Youth Leaders from the 21 LGA areas.
Other key members of the VCO Campaign Organization who were also present at the event include Rt Hon Eucharia Azodo, a two-time member of the Federal House of Representatives and a former Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly; Hon Barr Val Ayika, a former member of the Federal House of Representatives and the Anambra State House of Assembly; Chief Tony Offiah, a PDP stalwart and the Director of Finance for the VCO Campaign Organisation; Mr Obinna Ufudo, a former President and Group CEO of Transcorp Plc; Sir Izuchukwu Oraelosi, General Manager of VCO Foundation; Comrade Innocent Ugwo, leader of the VCO Youth Movement; Mrs Oby Mezi, woman leader of the VCO Campaign Organization, Comrade Frank Ekpeha O, secretary of the VCO Youth Movement and several others.
