Popular real estate mogul and leadership coach, My-Ace China, has called on young Nigerians to embrace responsibility, value creation and purposeful leadership as key drivers of prosperity and national development.
China made the call alongside former presidential aspirant and leadership coach, Fela Durotoye, and leadership strategist, Dr. Brian Rueben, during the Strategic Elevation Conference 2026 held on Thursday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The leadership and personal development summit, organised by Dr. Rueben and co-sponsored by My-Ace China, attracted over 250 entrepreneurs, professionals, business owners and young people from across the state.
Cross section of participants at the conference
The speakers urged Rivers residents to stop depending on politicians for transformation and instead take responsibility for the growth and development of their communities. They stressed that the state’s greatest asset is not its crude oil resources or political leaders, but its people.
Speaking at the event, China challenged society to invest more in young people and prepare them for leadership roles.
“The truth and the light with what I am living with is that our children, our youths are not the leaders of tomorrow, they are the leaders of today. We should build them with all the capacity to lead and give them all the maturity to take full responsibility for leadership today,” he said.
Mayor of Housing, My-Ace China speaking at the event
Delivering the keynote address, Durotoye urged participants to become agents of change by identifying challenges within their communities and creating practical solutions to address them.
According to him, Nigeria’s progress depends on citizens discovering their purpose and deploying their talents to tackle societal problems.
“The Nigeria of our dreams is waiting inside you for the problem you have not yet solved. Your success is tied to Nigeria’s success. Let Nigeria succeed because you found a problem and solved it,” Durotoye said.
He encouraged attendees to move beyond complaints and focus on innovation, problem-solving and service, stressing that individual contributions can collectively drive national transformation.
Leadership coach, Fela Durotoye
The trio encouraged citizens, particularly youths, to embrace leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship as tools for sustainable development and economic progress.
Speaking on the conference theme, Dr. Rueben said residents must abandon the mindset of waiting for a “messiah” and become active contributors to shaping the future of Rivers State.
“The prosperity of Rivers State is not in its oil. The real treasure of Rivers State is the person you see in the mirror,” he said.
Participants at the gathering
He further urged citizens to take ownership of the society they desire to build, warning that those who fail to take action risk being left behind in the state’s development journey.
