Desk Report:
Md. Ismail Zabiullah, the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Public Administration and a member of the BNP’s National Standing Committee, has urged young people to become entrepreneurs rather than chasing after jobs. He stated that if the youth take the initiative to establish themselves as entrepreneurs, the government will stand by them and continue to provide necessary support.
The Adviser made this call on Friday (October 9, 2026) while speaking as the chief guest at the ‘Meritorious Students and Distinguished Personalities Award Ceremony 2026,’ organized by the Greater Noakhali Welfare Association at the BIAM Foundation Auditorium in Dhaka.
Addressing the youth, the Adviser said that one must dream big, work hard, and bounce back after learning from failures. However, above all else, one must mold oneself into a good human being. While achieving good results in exams is important, becoming a good person in the test of life is even more crucial.
He told the students not to view today’s achievement as the end, but rather as a new opportunity to move forward. He expressed optimism that poets, writers, scientists, teachers, doctors, engineers, administrators, and successful entrepreneurs of the future would emerge from among the talented students of the Greater Noakhali region.
The Adviser noted that the Greater Noakhali region faces various challenges, including floods, river erosion, waterlogging, and issues related to employment, education, and health. However, the potential of the region’s people far outweighs these problems. Significant progress in resolving these issues is possible if people from Greater Noakhali who are established at home and abroad stand by the new generation with their experience, knowledge, and resources.
He stated that change must begin at home. Major transformations come about through fulfilling responsibilities toward one’s family, society, and local area, and by standing by the people. Being responsible toward one’s roots does not equate to narrow regionalism; rather, the positive impact of working for the development of one’s own area can eventually spread across the entire country.
He further advised the students that no matter how successful they become in life, they must never forget their roots, family, teachers, and their home region. Efforts must continue for future generations as well. He expressed the hope of building a ‘Greater Noakhali’ where no meritorious student loses their dream due to a lack of funds, no young person squanders their potential due to a lack of employment opportunities, and no family feels helpless in times of crisis.
Speaking as a special guest, Junaid Abdur Rahim Saki, State Minister for Planning, emphasized the importance of cultivating humane and skilled individuals for the country’s development. He urged students to prepare themselves to meet international standards of competence while simultaneously cultivating human values, empathy, and ethics. The State Minister noted that students must enhance their knowledge and skills in step with rapid technological advancements to effectively tackle the challenges of a changing world and contribute to the development of the nation and society.
Speakers at the event emphasized the need for effective initiatives to develop promising tourism sites in the Greater Noakhali district, including Nijhum Dwip.
The event was attended by Nazma Mobarak, Secretary of the Financial Institutions Division; Dr. Md. Abu Yusuf, Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare; Dr. Manjur Hossain, Member of the Planning Commission; Md. Abdul Malek, Director General of the BIAM Foundation; Moazzem Hossain, Member of the National Board of Revenue; Majeda Begum, Principal of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College; Shamim Ara, Principal of Eden Mohila College; and Mirza Ghalib, President of the Greater Noakhali Welfare Association. Also present were students, guardians, politicians, distinguished personalities, prominent figures from various sectors of Greater Noakhali, and representatives from print and electronic media.
