A session of participants at the event.
…Over 200 youths challenged to lead ventures that create jobs, drive impact
In a bold move to redefine youth empowerment, the YALI Network Delta, with support from the U.S. Consulate in Lagos, has hosted the inaugural Youth Skills Fest 1.0 — a one-day catalytic event focused on equipping young entrepreneurs not just with hard skills, but with the soft skills necessary to lead, collaborate, and transform their communities.
Held at the prestigious Golden Tulip Hotel, Asaba, the event brought together over 200 youth participants for an intensive day of learning, engagement, and inspiration under the theme: ‘Empowering Youth in Leadership, Business, and Policy for Sustainable Growth.”
According to Daniel Anazia, coordinator of YALI Network Delta and convener of the event, the Fest was designed to shift mindsets- from survival to leadership, from hustle to impact. The Nigeria we hope to see won’t be built by accident but by young men and women who take personal responsibility for their growth and the problems around them,” Anazia said.
Anazia, a development practitioner and MSME growth advisor, explained that while many young people in Delta State possess technical and vocational skills, they often lack the exposure to soft skills like emotional intelligence, communication, strategic thinking, and civic responsibility — all of which are essential for building sustainable ventures and leading meaningful change.
“Soft skills sit at the heart of everything, especially personal leadership and civic engagement. That’s what informed this gathering. We didn’t just want to equip people to ‘do business,’ but to lead with integrity, purpose, and vision,” he added.
What made Youth Skills Fest 1.0 especially impactful was the credibility of its speakers, real practitioners with real results, some of whom are alumni of U.S. Government exchange programmes, bringing both relevance and authenticity to their sessions.
Greg Anyabudike, IVLP Alumnus and Chairman of Oji River LGC, led the session on Public Policy Engagement, urging youths to influence change from the grassroots up.
Oby Okeke, CEO of AutoEase and alumnus of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs and IVLP, delivered a passionate talk on Leadership in Business, sharing her journey of building innovative solutions in the auto-tech space.
Roger Eraga, Branch Manager at TAJBank, shared insights on Financial Literacy and Islamic funding models, making the case for youth to be financially intentional and structurally informed.
Godwin Osakwe, chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Delta State, facilitated the session on Media and Personal Branding, stressing the power of communication and perception in building influence.
Cynthia Orife, CEO of Coriftech Solutions, spoke on Civic Engagement and Data-Driven Leadership, emphasising that “real leaders build — they don’t just react.”
Onyekachi Michael Odogwu, SA to the Delta State Governor on Youth Development, delivered the governor’s goodwill message and shared his perspective on public engagement.
These were not motivational speakers; they were doers, professionals, and builders, each bringing valuable experience that the audience could connect with.
During the session by Cynthia Orife, titled “From Hustle to Impact: Leveraging Tech and Data to Create Jobs and Drive Change.” Cynthia noted, “The world is running fast,” she told the audience. “We can’t keep running our businesses on vibes and instinct. Data gives us direction. It helps us show up not just as businesspeople, but as leaders with clarity and capacity.”
She challenged participants to stop “doing business blindly” and start being intentional, informed, and value-driven.
The goodwill message delivered on behalf of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori reaffirmed the Delta State Government’s commitment to youth empowerment, inclusion in governance, and business development. The governor encouraged youth to register their businesses and engage with government agencies to access support and funding.
The event also included an Awards of Impact segment recognising six guest speakers for their credible leadership, and eight volunteers for their tireless service.
For many participants, Youth Skills Fest 1.0 was more than a conference; it was a mirror and a call to action. It’s rare to find a program that brings this much value in one day,” said Princess Dode, a YALI volunteer.“
We must stop competing and start collaborating if we truly want growth in business and in society.”
The Fest builds on YALI Delta’s previous initiatives, including last year’s trade and non-oil export seminar and responds to the growing need for personal and civic leadership among youth.
We realised that even when youth are equipped with technical knowledge, they still struggle to move forward,” Anazia explained. “Why? Because leadership – the ability to take responsibility and drive action was missing. That’s the gap we came to fill.”
Anazia concluded in his closing remarks, “Leadership doesn’t start when everything is ready. It starts when someone decides to take responsibility. That’s what we’ve done, and that’s what we’re calling every young person here to do.”
