Doris Ewoh, Enugu
TEDxEnugu, organized by Mr. Chinedu Ifechelobi, has centered its discussion on the theme ‘Kwechiri’, a call to insist, persist, and become through resilience and transformation.
The event, which took place on Saturday, 23rd August 2025, at the International Conference Center, Enugu, featured thought-provoking talks and dynamic discussions aimed at highlighting the importance of perseverance and transformation in shaping a better future.
The convener of the event, Mr. Ifechelobi, stated that the word ‘Kwechiri’ is a plea to the Nigerian person that no matter what’s going on: “stay up there and don’t give up, do what you need to do. Get the right set of innovations and go out there and change your world.”
In his remarks, the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, stated that the only way ideas and visions of leadership can become reality is if we persist, as not all will always support the vision or ideas.
Speaking at the event, the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, explained the need to transform ideas into impact. He said transformation is a journey that allows you to embrace disruption, not fight it, and that to be transformed, you need a sense of urgency and the renewal of the inner you.
“Kwechiri, tell yourself that you are better than what your mind tells you. Never accept mediocrity as an excuse to define your environment. You have to decide that where you are is not enough, and time is not on your side,” said Onyia.
Barr. Richard Agu, a lawyer and arbitrator, insisted that if you must kwechiri, you must first of all respect the sensibilities of others, as it must not threaten every other person; rather, it should be a strength of Onye aghana nwanne ya, bringing back sense in the way we relate with others.
Emphasizing the idea of flipping stereotypes to your own advantage, popular Nollywood actress Rachel Okonkwo noted that it’s not necessary to change your personality, because when it’s not authentic, it won’t last. She averred that to flip stereotypes to one’s gain, one would have to understand it’s a continuous work and that your organic ability is meant for the world to see what you can do.
The Managing Director of Rangers FC, Barr. Amobi Ezeaku, spoke on the enormous power that lies in football. He stated: “The power that the game possesses is the power that transforms, even beyond imaginations. It’s not just about the games, it’s not just about the trophies won it’s beyond that.”
Veteran Nollywood actress Hilda Dokubo, while speaking, encouraged women to uphold the value of womanhood. She stated that equality for women should involve understanding the perspective of who you are and who the other person is.
She kicked against the empowerment of the girl child and the disempowerment of the boy child. In her words: “When you disempower a people, they become violent. Only weak women who haven’t been nurtured will tell a man to man up.”
Eric Gugua, a media personality, discussed the importance of social interactions for transformation. He stated that social interactions connect us to humanity, and we must adapt to the new inventory of social spaces to maintain our humanity and find a way to preserve global interactions.
Gugua noted that trust is one commodity that never goes out of style, and to maintain that in our social spaces, we must invest in technology that provides trust and also position ourselves to be key figures in those spaces.
Mr. Chinedu Emmanuel Ani (Nedu Wazobia), a radio/TV host, while enumerating the dangers of social media, stated that the problem of the nation is not a leadership problem but one of followership, where people consume every kind of content on social platforms. He continued by saying that for us to have a better society, we have to understand that social media shapes perception, and what we see is what we believe which isn’t always true.
Highlighting play as a key to preparing children for tomorrow’s world, Mrs. Philomena Nwajagu, founder of Kidpreneur Place, advised that play is not a distraction from learning but the very foundation for learning.
She urged everyone to prioritize unstructured play and create safe spaces where children can express themselves freely at home, at school, and in quality rooms where they need people to speak on their behalf.
The event also featured spoken word and comedy.
Dignitaries in attendance were the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai; Secretary to the State Government of Enugu State, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia; Enugu State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Prince Lawrence Ezeh; Deputy Chief Whip, Enugu State House of Assembly, Princess Obiajulu Ugwu; Nkanu West Local Government Chairman, Hon. John Ogbodo; Enugu North Local Government Chairman, Hon. Ibenaku Onoh; and others.