By Valentine Ozigbo
| want to express my profound gratitude to the leadership of Blazing Generation Initiative, Comrade Arinze Anaegbunam and his team for inviting me to be part of The Eagles Assembly 2025. Your choice of theme, Maximizing Time and Youthfulness, could not be more fitting. It speaks to the urgency of the season we are in and the possibilities that lie before us.
Time and youth are the most powerful resources we will ever hold. And yet, they are also the most fleeting. Youth does not last forever: time waits for no one. The question then is this: how do we make these gifts count?
What Really Matters in the World
When you strip away the noise of life — the competition. the endless chase, the applause and the criticism — what remains? What truly matters?
| have reflected deeply on this, and for me, three things rise to the top.
First, salvation and our relationship with God. Everything else is temporary. To live without God is to miss the ultimate purpose of life itself.
Second, living an impactful life. Impact is the measure of whether we leave the world better than we found it. Not in how much we acquire, but in how much we contribute.
Third, the pursuit of true happiness. Not the shallow happiness that comes from possessions or likes on social media, but the more profound joy that flows from purpose, relationships, and service.
These three — salvation, impact. and happiness — are, | believe, the anchors of a meaningful life.
But how do we live out these truths? How do we maximize time and youth in a way that brings us closer to God, impact, and true joy? I will share five pathways.
Pathways to Maximizing These Anchors
a)!Focus on God :
The scriptures tell us, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” God is not just the source of wisdom: He is the compass for direction. Youth is the best time to build that foundation of faith.
b)The Salvation Pitch: a. Salvation is God’s Gift
Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Every human being is born with a debt of sin — and that debt carries a price: death, both physical and eternal. But God, in His mercy, offers salvation as a gift. Unlike the fleeting pleasures of this world, salvation provides eternal life, purchased by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This is the first and most significant reason to give your life to Christ: because nothing else compares to the gift of eternity with Him.
C) Salvation Is a Personal Decision :
John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but hove everlasting life.”
The love of God is global, but the response must be personal. It is not enough to come from a Christian family or to be part of a church community. The call is to believe — to surrender and accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour personally. Salvation cannot be inherited or outsourced; it must be consciously embraced.
2 Corinthians 5:17 — “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
d) Salvation Brings Peace and Newness of Life :
When you give your life to Christ, He does not just forgive your sins: He makes you new. Old habits, old failures, old labels — they no longer define you. This is why salvation is not only about the afterlife but also about abundant life here and now. In a world that often feels broken and hopeless, salvation restores peace, dignity, and direction.
e) Salvation is Urgent — Especially in Youth :
Ecclesiastes 12:1 – “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, | have no pleasure in them.”
Youth is the best time to surrender to Christ because it is the season of strength, energy, and influence. Waiting until old age is gambling with time — because tomorrow is never guaranteed. By choosing Christ in youth, you give Him your best years, and you allow Him to shape your path before habits harden and opportunities fade.
- Salvation is the Only Way *
Acts 4:12 – “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
No amount of wealth, education, or good works can secure salvation. Only Jesus can. This is why delaying the decision or seeking alternatives is dangerous. Christ alone is the door to eternal life, and to ignore Him is to risk everything.
The story of salvation is the most remarkable story ever told: humanity lost, but God reaching down in love to redeem. It is the best decision you will ever make — because it settles your etemity, transforms your present, and anchors your purpose.
*The Call to Decision *
To consciously surrender your life to Christ is to embrace the gift of God, to step into newness, and to live fully. To do it in your youth is to maximize the time and energy He has given you, and to write a story of impact that will echo into eternity.
*Engage Political Leadership *
Politics is not a distant game played by others — it is the single most powerful channel through which societies are shaped. Every road you travel, every hospital you visit, every school you attend, every opportunity you can access — all of it flows from political decisions.
To turn away from politics because it looks dirty is to surrender your destiny to those who may not have your best interests ot heart. When young people refuse to engage, they create a vacuum that others will always fill.
Politics is the most crucial channel through which positive change and transformation can happen. If we are serious about maximizing youthfulness, then channelling our energy into politics is non-negotiable.
My Personal Story ;
This conviction is what led me into politics. Coming from the corporate world, where results are measured in performance and integrity, | initially believed that staying away from politics would protect me. But | came to realise that no matter how much impact you create in business, philanthropy, or personal life. if politics fails, everything else is at risk.
The brokenness in our politics was too costly to ignore. | stepped in not because it was convenient, but because it was necessary. That is the same call l extend to you today — not to wait until conditions are perfect, but to step up with courage and conviction.
*Why We Must Bring God Into Politics *
Too often, we separate faith from governance, as if God has no interest in justice, equity, or exemplary leadership. Yet scripture reminds us that when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice. Proverbs 29:2 (KJV): “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.”
Bringing God into politics means carrying our values into the arena: honesty, compassion, accountability, and courage. Without God, politics becomes raw power: with God, politics becomes a platform for service. If we want to redeem our nation, then our politics must reflect the heart of God.
The Role of Youth – Selflessness ;
For the youth, the call is not just to participate, but to do so with selflessness and dedication. Leadership is not a shortcut to wealth or a tool for personal ambition. It is a sacred responsibility. The strength of youth is energy, creativity, and idealism. But its most significant power lies in service — in putting the common good above self-interest. Authentic political leadership begins with sacrifice, not entitlement.
The Four Ps of Political Leadership
Let me leave you with what I call the Four Ps of Political Leadership:
e Personality: Who you are when no one is watching — your character, valves, and integrity.
« Platform: The structure or movement that gives you a voice and connects you to the people.
The Process: The discipline, planning, and strategy that tum ideas into action.
« Promise: The vision you commit to delivering, and the hope you inspire in others.
When these four come together — a strong personality, a credible platform, a disciplined process, and a compelling promise — you have the foundation for transformative political leadership.
Embrace a Culture of Continuous Improvement — Kaizen
One of the philosophies | hold dear is Kaizen — the Japanese principle of continuous improvement. It means asking every day, “How can! be better than! was yesterday?” Lear something new, seek mentorship, reflect on mistakes, and refine your character. Small improvements, made daily, lead to greatness. | recommend the book, ‘Atomic Habits’, by James Clear.
a)Active Citizenship
Citizenship is not just about voting once every four years. It is about being engaged, holding leaders accountable, serving your community, and protecting the values that matter. A passive citizen 5 OQ powerless citizen.
b) Personal Development
Finally, invest in yourself. Read books. Build skills. Take expert courses. Make learning a lifelong endeavour. Protect your mental, emotional, and physical health. The world does not reward potential — it rewards preparation. Time and youth are the best seasons to prepare.
c) Practical Tips
« Guard your time. Please do not waste it on distractions that add no value.
« Channel your energy. Youthfulness is strength — invest it in building, not destroying.
« Seek mentors. Success is never a solo project: it is always built in community.
« Becoming Emotionally Intelligent. Often mistaken as a just a soft skill, it is, rather, the master key that unlocks resilience, effective leadership, and lasting success in every sphere of life.”
- Living as Kaizenized and Valiant
Earlier this year, | took a step of faith and launched the Valiant Movement. | did so because | believe Nigeria needs a new kind of leadership and a new kind of citizen — men and women who are bold enough to confront our toughest challenges and disciplined enough to keep improving until change is achieved.
For me, to be Valiant & not just to summon courage. It is to rise above fear, to speak truth when silence feels safer, to act with integrity when compromise is tempting, and to imagine a brighter tomorrow even when the present feels dark.
But | also know that courage without discipline is not enough. That’s why we must also be Kaizenized. Kaizen is the philosophy of continuous improvement — small, deliberate steps every day that lead to extraordinary transformation. To be Kaizenized is to live a lifestyle of learning, unlearning, and reimagining, both personally and collectively.
When I speak of being Kaizenized and Valiant, |am not speaking of abstractions. | am speaking of the heartbeat of a movement. 1 am speaking of a vision where ordinary Nigerians, through courage and daily improvement, rise into extraordinary leadership. This is why I started the Valiant Movement: to inspire a generation of citizens and leaders who will not accept mediocrity as destiny, but who will commit to growth, to courage, and to nation-building.
Friends, youth is a season of energy. vision, and possibility. Time is the currency with which we spend that season. Both can be wasted, but both can also be invested. The choice is yours.
*Closing Charge – Maximizing Time & Youthfulness *
The future does not belong to those who wait for perfect conditions. It belongs to those who, even in the uncertainty of the present, dare to create, dare to build, and dare to transform.
If you want to maximize your youth and your time, then focus on what truly matters: anchor yourself in God, embrace leadership and continuous growth, commit to active citizenship, and pursue personal development with discipline. In doing so, you will not only make your life count, but you will multiply your impact for generations to come.
So, as we leave here today, let us commit to a lifestyle of continuous improvement and courageous action. Let us resolve to unleash our potential not for selfish gain, but for the transformation of our communities, our country, and our world.
My charge to you is this: Be Kaizenized. Be Valiant. Be faithful. And in doing so, you will not only live well, but you will also lead well, and you will leave a legacy that endures.
Thank you, God bless you, and God bless the youth of Nigeria.
( A speech delivered by Mr Valentine Ozigbo
at The Eagles Assembly Awka, Anambra State on September 12, 2025
with Theme: “Maximising Time And Youthfulness” )
