UNN scholar to youths: Take learning as your daily bread
By Kenechukwu Onah: A renowned Media and communication scientist, and University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) staff member Dr. Celestine Gever has urged Nigerian youths to always learn as if their life depend on it.
He stated this while addressing the audience on cultivating innovative leadership and livelong learning during the international Youth Development Conference organized by the Development Research Association Of Nigeria themed, ” Unlocking potentials for personal and professional growth.
Speaking to the students that gathered at Princess Alexandra Auditorium at the Nsukka Campus of University of Nigeria, Dr. Gever explained that to become an innovative leader, one has to always be learning, endlessly.
He noted out things that every aspiring leader must continue to learn, stating that individuals must learn to sacrifice for the things they love.
“Lifelong learning is a learning that is continuous. You learn today, you learn tomorrow and continue to learn forever. I encourage you to take learning as a daily bread; as a daily lunch and even dinner.
“Sacrifice for the things you like because any good thing that you desire comes with a prize. You have seen how Nollywood portray people going to the native doctors whenever they need things. Always, they are required to pay a prize for what they needed. This is symbolic to life itself. It might not be cows or any blood sacrifice like the movies portray but you must sacrifice something. You must pay the prize of discipline,” he explained.
He listed other things youths must do, advising the audience to explore each path for them to become innovative leaders.
“Though there are always distractions to learning, it is left for you to let go those distractions…. Time is the only thing that when lost can not be recovered. Learn to manage the things that distracts you…. Watch your emotions because they are dangerous…. Embrace logic, it doesn’t matter if you are happy or not….”
Other speakers who spoke on other important topics also reiterated the point that youths must learn and just keep learning.
While speaking on building resilience and adaptability in a changing world, Reverend Father Fidelis Asogwa encouraged the audience to be flexible in their thinking if they wished to survive. “If you must adapt, you must not have a rigid thinking,” he emphasized.
Other Doctors of education who were as well speakers encouraged the audience to keep learning. Dr. Belinda Anyakoha who is also a staff of the university encouraged the audience to learn to bridge the gap between their passion and purpose. She advised that when passion clashes with purpose, that they should always try to find one in the other. Dr. Olanrewaju Mgboji added her voice on the topic, acquiring communication skills for a dynamic future, emphasizing the importance of learning skills even when it’s not needed at the moment.
Pastor Godwin Oguche while encouraging constant learning also advised that while learning, spiritual connection with God should not be neglected.
The event which took place on 15th of March, 2025 was the maiden edition of the international conference from DECRAN. According to the President of the research association and the converner, Dr. Blessing Chinweobo-Onuoha, the event would be annual one. She expressed her satisfaction on the success of the event, noting that she had doubts when they couldn’t get sponsors and therefore, had to make it a registered conference. Nevertheless, the turnup was encouraging. The event featured spoken word performances, panel sessions and talks from intellects.
The guest speakers, even those who attended virtually spoke on youth-focused topics, giving the audience titbits on how to unlock their potentials. Other guest of honor included the Head of department, Mass Communication, University of Nigeria, Nsukka Professor Micheal Ukonu.
DECRAN is a research association that is focused on training the Youths, and opening their mind at a young age.
