The 2025 edition of the Ibom Ignite Conference has opened at the Ibom Led Centre, IBB Avenue, Uyo, with a strong call on young people to embrace innovation, resilience, and self-determination in order to accelerate their personal and collective destinies, with the theme:“ignite to accelerate”.
Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD. who recalled the origin of the conference as a vision to uplift youths and challenge entitlement mentality, stressed that government alone cannot define success, urging participants to take responsibility for their future.
“Everyday God gives you is an opportunity, so as you’ve come today, I beg you, don’t waste this opportunity.
“I like to talk to young people, take your destiny in your hands” the governor advised.
In his welcome address, Pastor ImoAbasi Jacob highlighted the history of the conference, which began as a youth impact program and has since grown into a global event hosted at world-class venues.
He urged participants to seize the moment, saying: “Fire without movement is wasted.
“Wake up the giant inside you, because your future starts now.”
Delivering the opening charge, Rev. Dr. Godwin Amaowoh, quoting Deuteronomy 8:18 and Luke 4:6, emphasized empowerment as the key to wealth creation.
He explained that God equips people through ideas, ability, and vision, while human beings provide infrastructure and platforms, don’t waste resources, he charged the youths of the state to make good use of this opportunity.
Obafemi Banigbe, CEO, emerging markets telecommunications services, in his keynote address, described the conference as more than a gathering, calling it a movement with the potential to transform communities and industries.
He praised Akwa Ibom’s growth over the past two decades, noting its potential in digital technology, agriculture, and artificial intelligence. “When I look at this state, I see possibilities.
“To the young people here: you are not just leaders of tomorrow, you are leaders of today. Don’t dim your spark, ignite it,” he said.
Since it’s inception, the Ibom Ignite Conference, has served as a platform for youth empowerment, vision building, and leadership development, drawing participants from diverse fields to accelerate growth and innovation in Akwa Ibom State and beyond.
