• Inducted Patron Rivers Youth Leaders Assembly

PORT HARCOURT – REAL estate investment enthusiast, My-Ace China, has challenged Nigerian youths to hone whatever sellable skills or ideas they have into products or services so globally competitive that society cannot ignore them if they want to succeed and gain recognition in life.

China, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Construction and Housing Mayor Limited, was motivating young minds on the steps to a successful life over the weekend in Port Harcourt where he was inducted Patron of Rivers Youth Leaders Assembly (RSYLA).

He further charged the youths to ensure that whether gainfully employed or self established, they must imbibe a sense of ownership and integrity in the employer’s business as they would do in their personal ventures.

The development expert, better known as the Mayor of Housing, recalled that, “As the richest black woman, Oprah Winfrey counselled young Americans to be so good in your skill that the world cannot ignore you.”

He urged the youths to also emulate the likes of 100meter hurdle World Record Holder, Tobi Amusan, who he said has upped her game to become a global product in the her chosen sport.

“So to youth of Rivers state, I say if you have one skill, talent or the other, don’t look at just Rivers or even Nigeria as your platform. Look at the global stage. Become so good the world cannot ignore you.

“If you are not skilled and feel you have no talent, put in so much labour in something very productive that gives you profit. Profit is freedom but wage-earning is captivity by your employer”, he said.

When you make profit, he explained, you are free to do with it whatever you wish, but when you make wages, you are more tied to the whims and caprices of the man who pays you.

“So, for the youths to be free from the government and employers, find something productive that you can do for profit that government cannot stop you and employers cannot stop you”, he added.

He however maintained that when being employed is inevitable, “Wherever you work as an employee, assume responsibility as if you were the owner of that place. Endeavour to deliver enough for the owner to reckon with you. And, in case something happens, you can also start your own.

“The minimum requirement in employeeship is at least part ownership of the department you work. If you can’t own the whole department, own at least the part you control. Take full responsibility for productivity and take full profitability as if it is all yours.”

He urged Rivers youths to also be committed to marketing the state in good light to external stakeholders with every given opportunity,

“You see something good, say something good. For instance, August 1, 2024, the governor of the state, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, was among few governors who came out to engage protesters to find solutions to the situation at hand.

“The onus is on the youths of the state to project it as the best thing happening in Rivers. So, project the state so much that outsiders would want to come and feel what you are feeling”, he explained.

On the award bestowed on him, the Mayor of Housing said he was honoured to be at the hallowed chamber of the Rivers State Youth Leadership Assembly, adding that the duty was no burden but a delight.

On the choice of China as Patron, RSYLA Speaker, Dr Tonye Jemininiema, said, “The Mayor of Housing has deployed that capability within him to impact Rivers youths through empowerment, employment, etc. We are trying to fish out the good things some people have been able to do.”