The Special Assistant (SA) to Delta State Governor on Youth Development, Comrade Elvis Akpobi, has commended the Principal Secretary to the State governor, Mr. Hilary Obi Ibegbulem for rebranding, remodeling and giving hope to the hopeless youths in the state.
He gave this commendation in a statement he signed and was made available to newsmen.
Akpobi, who is also the Executive Director and Founder, Not Too Young To Lead Initiative said
Hilary’s philanthropic gestures located him at the darkest moment of his life adding that he was in the midst of hopelessness and lack of assurances in life.
Speaking on how God used Mr. Hilary to turn his story around, Akpobi, said: “I am a product of God’s grace and mercies. I am an example of when grass is consistently watered, it becomes grace. I am an example of the most unlike of dreams turning into a reality.
“Am an only son from a humble family. The Elvis you see today once lived in the slums of Igbi Street. There was a time I was told that I cannot be anything but I have parents who ensured I had the best Education despite the stings of unequal opportunity. Courtesy of an agent of change, a champion of hope, a man who did not look into the fact that I am not from his ethnic nationality. A man who did not look into my weaknesses but discovered me when I have not even discovered myself”.
Comrade Akpobi who has not seized preaching the gospel of his transformation to others Said: “You see, I use my story to inspire people that if I can get here despite the fact that I am still under construction, anybody can get there, just do the right thing, pray to God. I have heard so many murmurings; why Elvis? And I asked myself, why not Elvis?
“The Bible says God created us in his own image and his grace is sufficient for us all and there is a part of the Bible that says the heart of a king is in the Lord’s hands. When you pray to God for your dreams to become a reality, God will not come down, God will use somebody and God has used somebody to change my story.
“Today, I am like a model for other persons. I am like a bridge to other persons. Sorry, I might be sounding somehow but the feelings I have gotten working under Hilary as his boy, as his protege, it is only me that can explain that feeling.
“If you have tasted the feeling of being called a nobody. If you felt it, you will now value when people give you that sense of being a somebody. When people give you that sense that you can be anything in this life. It is not really about the money because when some people see me, they say give me money. Oga, has filled your bank account with money, give me money. I just smile”.
Acknowledging Hilary for his financial support, Akpobi maintained that he has eminently enjoyed while working with his boss stressing that he has always advised those who are serious to equip themselves of skills and academic qualifications that would give them the opportunity of being helped in future.
He said: “He takes care of me financially. Did I tell a friend of mine the other day that why not ask of something sustainable? If I give you money today, it will finish. Why not ask, I want to learn this or I read this, how can you help me tell Oga to do this for me?
“I am not the first boy to be introduced to my boss but grace found me and I brought in values. Each time I sit down and think, I ask myself; what do I do to become more useful to him? Because it is only in your usefulness, you will be given regards. The values you bring in is what will make you go higher”.
Conveying his appreciation message, Akpobi who could not hide his feelings full of gratitude to Hillary said he was given a feeling of belonging adding that he might have missed it in life if not for the intervention of Hilary Ibegbulem.
“If not for Mr. Hilary, maybe I would have been somewhere looking for a job, maybe I would have thought of getting a visa and leaving the shores of this country not knowing what is ahead of me in other countries. Maybe I would have found myself in the midst of people who ordinarily I shouldn’t walk with”.
He also revealed that he obtained a B. Tech in Geophysics, OND, and HND in Petroleum and Natural Gas, certified in Pipeline Engineering, yet, life was not friendly with him.
“I passed through a process and I trusted that process. Today, Mr. Hilary isn’t the first person that I worked with politically but the experience I had working with him, is what I use in thriving through.
“His touch in my life has a ripple effect in my community, my friends, my family; my parents are comfortable now, courtesy of his touch in my life. Some of my friends are comfortable. I can’t reach out to all of them but some of them are comfortable.
“I may not have a lot of money to repay. But the best way I believe I have to repay this man for his gestures is undiluted loyalty and humility which he stands for. Then raising people, mirroring excellence, and giving hope to people which is what he is known for.
“Over the state today, there are a lot of youths who are beneficiaries of his benevolence and apathy. Sometimes, we find ourselves in an environment where you get scared of talking to your boss. He gives me that enabling environment to always whisper. When the whisper is wrong he tells you no. This is not right and I will do the right thing. Sometimes, you find yourself in the midst of leaders. Sometimes you wrong them, we all make mistakes”.
“Gossip comes but he does not listen to gossip. He talks less but if he gives you his words; it comes to pass.
The Special Assistant noted that Hilary drew his character from his direct boss, the Executive Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa adding that he is calm and receptive.
Special Assistant on Youth Development, Delta State
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