The Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Chief Sunday Dare, has challenged youths attending the over 24,000 Arise Congress 2.0, held at the Baptist International Convention Centre along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, to key into the youth’s initiative programmes of the government.
The event which is holding from Wednesday, September 3, 2025, to Saturday, September 6, 2025, is with the theme “The Emergence of Champions,”.
In his keynote speech, Dare, who is also the Chairman of the Youth and Student Ministries Advisory Board of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, emphasised that Nigerian youths are the champions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. He noted that the president has initiated several policies benefiting young Nigerians, providing them with a platform to reach their potential and excel using their faith, talent, and skills.
He emphasised the importance of character, discipline, determination, and self-motivation in achieving success. He stated that he was not discussing politics but rather encouraging youths to take advantage of available opportunities in the administration and make a positive impact in their communities. He urged them to have faith in Tinubu’s administration and listed some of the President’s initiatives aimed at empowering young Nigerians as : NELFUND Tuition Loans and Stipends: Over 600,000 students now benefit from these, Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer: Aimed at providing affordable houses for three million vulnerable households, Food Security and Poverty Alleviation: The administration has released thousands of metric tons of grains from federal strategic reserves and implemented emergency nutrition support in several states, among others.
Also in attendance were notable figures such as Rev. Israel Adelani Akanji, (Convener and President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention); Rev. Dr. S. Olawuyi James (Host and Director of Youth and Student Ministries); Rev. Dr. Israel Kristilere (Chairman of the Central Planning Committee); Rev. Michael Onyegbu; Pastor Fela Durotoye; and CP Lanre Ogunlowo (Commissioner of Police, Ogun State).
