As a young person in Rivers State, there are several things you need to keep in mind in order to succeed in life. Life is a journey, and it is full of landmines. In order to navigate these landmines successfully and avoid costly mistakes, you need the insights of the old and wisdom. Here are some things you should urgently consider:
Firstly, it is important to get a good mentor. If your father is still alive, he is your best mentor. Parents love their children unconditionally and their advice is invaluable. Seek their counsel whenever you can. If you do not have a father or he is not available, look for other older people who have achieved the kind of success you desire. A good mentor will guide you through difficult times and help you avoid costly mistakes.
Secondly, invest in the Kingdom of God. Do not seek power outside God Almighty. The spiritual governs the physical. Once you surrender to a god, your descendants are mortgaged to that spiritual power. Invest your time and resources in building a relationship with God. Seek His guidance in all that you do and you will never go wrong.
Thirdly, invest in skills and quality relationships that have a future market. You will always compete in the market for solutions. Always ask yourself, what am I bringing to the table? If you are not bringing anything to the table, you are of no value. Invest your time and resources in developing skills that are in demand and building quality relationships that will help you succeed in life.
Fourthly, invest in critical core values such as hard work, humility, commitment, integrity, diligence, gratitude, faith, and prayer. If you practice these values, your doors will be opened and will stay open. Hard work pays off, and being humble and committed will help you build lasting relationships. Integrity and diligence will help you gain the trust of others, while gratitude, faith, and prayer will help you stay grounded and focused on your goals.
Fifthly, never steal from anyone or public funds. Let your riches be clean because riches have wings and they fly away. In economics, Gresham’s law states that “bad money drives out good”. Look around you and you will see what is happening to everyone who stole. Do not be tempted to take what does not belong to you. Build your wealth on honest gains and it will last.
Lastly, develop your personal leadership. He who cannot lead themselves cannot lead others. If some of the leaders in Rivers State had had their private businesses built on honest gains before coming into public governance, they would have done better. Focus on building yourself up first before you try to lead others. Learn from the mistakes of others and strive to be a better leader.
In conclusion, these are my pieces of advice to the young ones in Rivers State. Remember that life is a journey and it is full of landmines. But with the right mentor, a relationship with God, valuable skills and relationships, critical core values, clean wealth, and personal leadership, you can navigate successfully and emerge victorious.
