..As Wife of Igbo-Eze South Chairman Calls for Greater Investment in Teen Development
The wife of the Chairman of Igboeze South Local Government Area, Barr. Mrs Empress Ugo-Ferdinand Zikora, has called for more efforts in training young persons with information that will uplift their self-esteem and belief in their capacities.
Barr. Mrs Ugo-Ferdinand made this known on Saturday in Enugu during the 2026 Teens Impact Summit, organised by Ugo-Ferdinand Foundation in collaboration with Brook Laurels Academy and other partners, with the theme “Built for Impact,” which is a call to raise a generation of purpose-driven teenagers rooted in faith and excellence.
She stated that the summit was created to provide a platform where teenagers can discover their potential, build confidence, gain clarity about their future and understand the power they carry within them.
She posited that the difference between teenagers who succeed and those who struggle is often exposure, guidance and right mindset, which is why the culture of self-belief and capacity identification should be inculcated in what they do.
According to her, this summit was created to provide a platform where teenagers can discover their potential, build confidence, gain clarity about their future and understand the power they carry within them. Every great leader, every great innovator and every great nation builder was once a young person with a dream. The difference between those who succeed and those who struggle is often exposure, guidance and the right mindset. Here today, you will hear from speakers who will challenge you to think differently, inspire you to dream bigger, and equip you with practical wisdom for life.
Barr. Mrs Ugo-Ferdinand also appreciated the support given to her by her husband, Hon. Barr. Ugo Ferdinand Ukwueze, the wife of the Governor, Mrs Nkechinyere Iheoma Mbah and other partners and sponsors such as Custos Care Foundation, Pneuma Domain Min Int’l, Korex Pharmacy, Artistry Fort Limited, Fountain Care Media, JRB Foundation, Girls Hub Abuja, David Folarimi Foundation, TeensTrain Initiative, Favour City Light Properties, Ubiego Foundation, Abstract Space Centennial, One Hope Child Foundation, and Doxa Mums and Babies, among others, for their efforts in making the event a success.
Speaking to participants, an addiction recovery advocate and founder of Dave Folarinmi Foundation, Mr. David Folarinmi, said addiction of any kind should be monitored among kids and teenagers to avoid perennial damage to the growth and well-being of the child or teenager involved.
He stated that drug addiction, which starts from abuse, is a vision killer that destroys future aspirations, adding that alcohol addiction, gambling addiction and social media addiction are common forms of dependence that can negatively affect a person’s health, finances, relationships and overall wellbeing if they are not properly managed.
Also speaking, the Vice President of Pneuma Domain Ministry International, Pastor Rhema Clement, said godliness is the most assured way of a child’s upbringing and growth. She stated that in a world filled with too many ungodly behaviours and attitudes, teaching a child the way of God and Christ will enhance his or her spiritual growth, which will manifest physically with vision actualisation.
Other speakers at the event such as Etima Umeh and Ngobiri Abraham all spoke on the importance of catching them young with the right information that will build the right mindset, which will enable a child or teenager to survive by conquering his or her fears.
In her keynote address, the wife of the Governor of Enugu State, Mrs Nkechinyere Iheoma Mbah, who was represented by Her Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Barr. Chidimma Egonu thanked the organisers of the programme for such an initiative. She stated that the administration of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah is open to supporting activities that will transform the wellbeing of the citizens and denizens of Enugu.