Young Nigerians have been urged to embrace innovation, leadership and entrepreneurship as pathways to personal and national development at the fifth edition of the ARISE Conference, where thousands of young leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals gathered.
The two-day hybrid summit, organised by the Watchman Young Adult Forum, recently took place in Lagos, attracting thousands of physical and virtual participants, according to a statement signed by the Director, Michael Oyagha.
The Project Coordinator, Emmanuel Aloysius, described the conference as a life-changing platform designed to equip young people with the practical knowledge and values needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
He challenged participants not only to acquire knowledge but also to apply it in ways that would positively influence their communities.
In his keynote address, the Diocesan Pastor of the Watchman Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement, Lagos Diocese, Pastor Protase Opara, described this year’s theme, “Shift,” as a call to intentional transformation.
Drawing lessons from biblical figures, he urged participants to develop the right mindset, embrace discipline, pursue excellence, and prepare themselves for greater responsibilities in leadership, business, and personal growth.
The conference featured sessions on entrepreneurship, career development, governance, innovation and financial empowerment.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Maureen Chinaka encouraged participants to plan their careers deliberately, discover their strengths and invest in continuous learning and mentorship.
Chief Executive Officer of Glowfield International Schools, Blessing Anenechukwu, challenged young people to move beyond academic qualifications by developing marketable skills capable of solving societal problems.
She stressed that sustainable income comes from creating value, urging participants to improve their visibility, competence and entrepreneurial capacity.
Co-founder of Evolv Africa, Emmanuel Nduka, also shared strategies for monetising skills, while representatives of Zenith Bank highlighted financial products designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises.
A major highlight of the conference was the “Pitch Your Business” competition, which saw five entrepreneurs present their business ideas before a panel of judges after emerging from a rigorous screening process.
At the end of the contest, Gideon Ofoegbu, Co-founder of Kenai Health Solutions, emerged as the winner and received a N1m business grant for his health technology platform focused on expanding access to telemedicine and AI-assisted healthcare services.
Other finalists were promised mentorship, business advisory support, and access to future funding opportunities under the Watchman Young Adult Forum Empowerment Project.
