Cosmas Chukwu, Enugu
Resource persons at the second edition of the Young African Leaders Conference YALCON 2026 held in Enugu, organised by Young African Leaders for Global Impact (YALGI) have urged Nigerian youths and their counterparts in other African nations to take issue of education seriously, saying it remains the bedrock and most powerful tool for sustainable development of any country.
Delivering the conference keynote address, a United Kingdom (UK) based Guinea Bissau citizen and Executive Director of a non-governmental organization, Education4kids based in London, Ambassador Djenabu Balde, challenged African youths to rise up and use education to change the continental narrative.
In her paper presentation titled: “My Journey from Mango Tree to Global Stage” Balde, narrated to the participants numbering over three hundred from Various parts of Nigeria how her life journey began in Guinea Bissau some years ago.
She posited that for one to succeed in life, the person must be determined, focused, resilient and make sure ideas translates to impact.
According to her, Education4kids, now a house hold name in the UK, was established through resilience, focus, determination, and ideas to impact.
She said “what started as a simple ideas with two children became a movement, and that is exactly what today’s conference theme is all about.Turning ideas into impact.
“So, every great achievement begins with idea, and impact happens when we move beyond talking and start doing something. However, for us to succeed, we must embrace education which is key to success.
“It remains the most powerful tool for sustainable development of any nation. It addresses issue of poverty and help in nation building, and you must also believe in your potentials, ideas. That your poor background does not determine your future” she declared.
“African does not need another generation waiting for change; it needs a generation creating a change. So therefore, you must be courageous, dream high, be disciplined, and above all, be humble. You cannot afford to fail, because the future of Africa is in your hands
“You must leave this conference committed to transforming ideas into impact, challenges into opportunities, and dreams into realities.
“Together, we can build an Africa where every young person has the opportunity to thrive.Together, we can create sustainable development driven by African solutions.Together, we can shape the future we want to see.
“But always have at the back of your mind that for you to succeed in life, You will make mistakes, but don’t be deterred or be afraid of mistakes, because it will shape your ideas and you become stronger. You must learn from those that is ahead of you, Embrace mentorship because it will help you realize your dreams.
Presenting his address for YALCON 2026 earlier, the Convener Ambassador Ikenna Ezenwa, “said our presence here today is, to a great extent, a personal choice. Each of us made a conscious decision to be here because we believe something great and different is possible for Africa, and we believe YALCON can help us make it happen.
He explained that the organization train, equips, and empowers young people across Africa to become active agents of change and sustainable development
“When we speak of Africa and African development, we are speaking about you and me, about every African who chooses to grow, build, create, solve problems, and make an impact.
“Because when individuals develop, families and communities develop, and the collective effect is a better Africa.
He said: “This is why YALCON exists.Year in, year out, YALCON brings young minds together to ignite the fire of what is possible. We want to help people see that a dream, an idea, or a vision can become something real and impactful.
“We also create room for people to discover themselves, connect with others, collaborate, and create impact. And I believe this room is filled with current and future changemakers, entrepreneurs, innovators, and young people who have decided to explore their fullest potential.
“But as we pursue influence and success, we must remember the kind of people we must become along the way.
“I hope we are part of a generation that believes we can walk through the corridors of influence without soiling our hands, a generation that understands that true success and lasting establishment can come through three things: God, hard work, and integrity.
“The pressure is real. The quick success stories are loud, and people around us seem to be “blowing” overnight through shortcuts, fraud, and compromise.
“But when you experience the long nights, the rejections, the hard hustle, and the small wins that no one claps for, ask yourself: What exactly is my aim?Remember what you are building, and remember that you are not walking this road alone.
“At the centre of your journey is God. He gives you wisdom to make the right choices, strength to overcome weariness, and direction when the road is unclear.
“When God is at the centre of your ambition, your STRIVING will turn to THRIVING in due season.So, don’t trade your name for a quick win. Don’t sell your future for one moment.
“You will win, and you will win big, not by cutting corners, but by trusting God, working hard, and developing yourself throughout the process.And that development must be intentional.
“Do not only dream about the person you want to become; become that person. Read. Learn. Build your skills. Improve your capacity. Ask questions.
”Seek mentors, become better at what you do. Your dream may determine where you want to go, but your capacity will determine how prepared you are when the opportunity comes”
In a brief interview, the Senior Special Assistant SSA to Enugu state governor Peter Mbah on Sustainable Development Goals SDGs, Mrs. Onyinye Okpalanma, harped on the need for attention to the youths, saying “if we say the youths are the future leaders of tomorrow, we must always give them the attention they deserve.
We must devout our time, energy and policies to them, because that is the way to make impact.
When asked to mention any area she thinks could bring about global impact if properly handled, the Governor’s aide, spoke on issue of waste recycling, stressing that it has the capacity of making people become wealthy.
According to her, “one of the thing that can bring about global impact is issue of recycling of waste. Some of those things we call waste can actually bring wealth. Waste to wealth is one of those concept that is be coming increasingly popular for obvious reason.
“Some of those things that could have ended up in our dustbins or blocking the drainages are things that we can and put into better use, because it would also help our environment. This is because we really need to be kind to the environment,” she stated.
For a better society
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