The D-Day finally dawned on September 10, 2026— the day of the memorable and epoch-making Peter Eze Youth Connect 2026, themed “Beyond Quotas: Unlocking Opportunities for Enugu Youths through the Federal Character Commission.”
The programme was organised by the Federal Commissioner representing Enugu State in the Federal Character Commission, Mr. Peter Ogbonna Eze.
As early as 7:00 a.m. that day, the atmosphere at the venue of the event, the International Conference Centre (ICC), Enugu, had already taken on a new and electrifying look.
Flyers and flex banners of different shapes, bearing bold inscriptions and powerful messages about the event, adorned every corner of the venue.
Enthusiastic and enterprising youths arrived in droves, while parents and guardians dropped off their wards and children.
At the left-hand side, almost opposite the entrance to the main bowl of the Conference Centre, registration was ongoing, with the numbers becoming overwhelming. The crowd was clearly organic and spontaneous.
Inside the main bowl, the venue of the event, decorations and arrangements were top-notch and classy. The atmosphere, preparations and overall environment spoke volumes about the taste, capacity and personality of the convener, Mr. Peter Ogbonna Eze.
Surprisingly, even before 10:00 a.m., the official commencement time for the interactive, educative, empowering and incisive youth programme, the 5,000-capacity main bowl of the International Conference Centre, Enugu, had been filled to capacity, with many more youths standing inside and outside the hall.
The mammoth crowd of organic, energetic and committed youths was expectant, upbeat and ready to tap into the rare opportunities and privileges the programme promised to provide. This was conspicuously reflected in their countenance, comportment and disposition.
At exactly 11:15 a.m., the big masquerade and patriotic convener of the programme, the Federal Commissioner representing Enugu State in the Federal Character Commission, Hon. Peter Ogbonna Eze, arrived at the hall alongside his boss, renowned sports administrator, political leader of repute, legislator par excellence and Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Hon. Mrs. Ayo Omidiran, other members of the Commission, friends and well-wishers, amidst a standing ovation and rounds of applause.
The programme was officially declared open by the erudite and scholarly Secretary to the Enugu State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, who represented the Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.
In his opening remarks, Prof. Onyia commended and congratulated the convener, Peter Eze, and the Federal Character Commission for providing a rare platform for Enugu youths to be informed, empowered, educated and carried along. He also reeled out the numerous youth-friendly and empowerment programmes, as well as the landmark achievements and giant strides of Governor Mbah’s administration, which he said had significantly repositioned the state and improved its economy.
In his thought-provoking, incisive, revealing, engaging and must-read speech, which was typical of a patriotic and altruistic leader, Peter Eze held the mammoth audience spellbound. He assured the youths that he would continue to use his position to empower, assist and uplift the people.
He urged the youths to remain prepared and informed and to always apply for job opportunities whenever they are advertised, while also following up to ensure results. He dismissed the erroneous impression and fallacy that federal jobs are shared or given out before vacancies are officially announced, describing such claims as a lie from the pit of hell.
He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and others for finding him worthy of appointment as Federal Commissioner representing Enugu State in the Federal Character Commission. He also commended and appreciated the youths for their massive response and impressive turnout, despite the short notice and limited period of awareness, assuring them that he would not disappoint them.
Speaking thereafter, the Executive Chairman of the Commission and two-time former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Mrs. Ayo Omidiran, went down memory lane to educate the audience on the constitutional responsibilities and functions of the Federal Character Commission.
She highlighted the opportunities available to Nigerian job seekers and youths and outlined what applicants need to do to improve their chances of securing employment.
She commended and eulogised Peter Eze, whom she described as a vibrant and enterprising youth and a son to whom she is well pleased.
Similarly, one of the keynote speakers, Senator Dr. Barr. Emmanuel Onwe, challenged the youths to remain prepared at all times to seize opportunities capable of transforming their lives for the better.
He reminded them that opportunities yield the best results when they meet preparedness. He urged youths to constantly seek knowledge, stressing that knowledge is power and a key to a successful and fulfilling life.
He described Peter Eze as a good example of a young person whose preparedness met opportunity, noting that the results were evident for all to see.
His counterpart, development expert and agribusiness specialist, Mr. Ronald Oroh, examined the numerous opportunities available in agribusiness. He encouraged the youths to register for relevant programmes, acquire appropriate training and take advantage of the opportunities to earn a living and create employment for others.
A team of experts from DELYORK (IDICE) also took the stage to educate and inform the youths about numerous untapped opportunities in technology, agriculture and skills acquisition. They provided a website through which attendees could register for training and empowerment programmes.
Similarly, representatives of Jobberman made an incisive and informative presentation on how youths could equip themselves with knowledge about available job opportunities, as well as proposal writing, business plans, feasibility studies and other essential tools for employment and entrepreneurship.
Five Beneficiaries Emerge for Fully Funded US Scholarships
One of the major highlights of the event was the transparent and impartial award of five fully funded scholarships to the United States of America—three for undergraduate programmes and two for postgraduate studies.
The selection process was openly superintended and supervised by Hon. Mrs. Ayo Omidiran, Senator Emmanuel Onwe and the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Ugwu.
The undergraduate scholarship beneficiaries were:
Uche Michael Kenechukwu, from Okpatu in Udi LGA;
Miss Okoro Vivian, from Igbo-Eze North LGA; and
Chukwu Emeka David Chiemerie, from Nkanu West LGA.
The postgraduate scholarship beneficiaries were:
Hon. Odo Emmanuel Nnamdi, from Udenu LGA; and
Ugwu Chimobi, from Nsukka LGA.
Overwhelmed with joy and enthusiasm, the beneficiaries commended and prayed for the convener, Peter Eze, and the Commission—not only for awarding them fully funded scholarships in the United States, but also for organising a programme that exposed them to information they previously lacked about job opportunities and how to access them.
The youths and other attendees, including top government functionaries, captains of industry, volunteer groups and other stakeholders, were entertained by the Global Dance Cultural Troupe, whose impressive performance added colour and excitement to the programme.
The question-and-answer session also provided the youths with an opportunity to interact directly with the convener, Peter Eze, who calmly and satisfactorily responded to the questions raised.
There were also goodwill messages and testimonies from numerous beneficiaries of Peter Eze’s kindness and generosity, particularly those who had secured jobs and benefited from fully funded overseas trips through his interventions since he assumed office as Federal Commissioner representing Enugu State in the Federal Character Commission.
Remarkably, although the programme lasted until almost after 6:00 p.m., the enthusiastic youths remained patient and resilient until the end. Having been entertained with good food and drinks and exposed to valuable information and opportunities, many left the venue expressing happiness and satisfaction, saying the programme was worth the time spent and the knowledge acquired.
The programme finally came to a close at about 6:30 p.m., with closing remarks delivered by one of the attendees.
Indeed, the programme has, apart from educating, informing, empowering and exposing Enugu youths to the numerous job opportunities available in the Federal Civil Service and the means of securing them without godfathers or gratification, rekindled the hope and faith of Enugu youths in the country called Nigeria.
It has proven that youth capacity and leadership are not lacking among Enugu State youths, as Peter Eze has proven and continues to prove that youths can be leaders of today. It has also shown that leaders need no money or compromise to mobilise youths; rather, it only requires altruistic and exemplary leadership.
The success of Peter Eze Youth Connect 2026 has once again demonstrated that Enugu youths are ready to learn, grow and conquer when given the right opportunities, platforms and support.
The massive and organic attendance is a reflection of the trust, belief and respect that young people have for Hon. Peter Eze who is also known as Ezembanabo and his vision. Bringing together thousands of youths, particularly a generation often regarded as difficult to mobilise for programmes of this nature, is no small achievement.
What makes Peter Eze Youth Connect truly extraordinary is not just the numbers, but the genuine enthusiasm and willingness of the participants to learn, engage and seek opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The programme has further demonstrated Peter Eze’s overwhelming influence among the youths of Enugu State and his ability to connect with them in a meaningful and impactful way.
Indeed, when young people believe in a vision, they will show up, participate and become part of the journey.
Among the dignitaries at the programme were State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State, Dr. Martin Chukwunweike; Deputy Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Prince Ezenta Ezeani; members of the National Assembly; Majority Leader of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Johnson Ani; members of the State House of Assembly; Commissioners; government appointees; captains of industry; friends and well-wishers of the convener, among others.
By Samson Ezea, a renowned journalist and one of the Masters of Ceremonies at the programme.
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