By Chiamaka Edokwe
The Acting Managing Director of the Anambra State Small Business Agency (ASBA), Barr. Nonso Emeka, has urged students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, to embrace resilience, financial literacy and entrepreneurship as essential tools for personal and professional success.
Barr. Emeka delivered the keynote address on July 17 at the CATALYST 2026 Students’ Empowerment Summit held at the university’s School Auditorium.
The summit, themed “The Impact of Financial Literacy, Self-Esteem and Psychological Well being on Undergraduate Students,” was organised by the Students’ Union Government (SUG), Directorate of Student Initiatives and Empowerment, to equip undergraduates with the knowledge, mindset and opportunities needed to excel academically, personally and economically.
Addressing the students, the ASBA Acting Managing Director encouraged them to remain focused despite life’s challenges, reminding them that gaining admission into the university was itself evidence of determination and resilience.
He urged them to adopt the mindset that they had “come too far to fail,” stressing that academic setbacks, financial difficulties or business failures should never define their future.
Drawing inspiration from the lives of renowned innovators such as Thomas Edison and the founder of KFC, Barr. Emeka said success is often achieved through perseverance, noting that failure should be seen as a stepping stone rather than an endpoint.
Reaffirming ASBA’s commitment to youth entrepreneurship, he encouraged the students to take bold steps toward achieving their aspirations, reminding them of the agency’s guiding philosophy: “No matter how big your dream is, you can start small.”
He assured the students of ASBA’s continued support through entrepreneurship development programmes, capacity-building initiatives and access to opportunities that will empower them to become self-reliant, innovative and active contributors to Anambra State’s economic growth.
The summit featured sessions on leadership development, mental wellness, free medical check ups, screening exercises to identify outstanding student entrepreneurs and scholarship beneficiaries, the presentation of business grants and networking opportunities.
Chiamaka Edokwe is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
