Thousands of young Nigerians have been encouraged to embrace innovation, entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal development as essential tools for building successful careers and contributing to national growth.
The call was made during the fifth edition of the ARISE Conference, a two-day hybrid event organised by the Watchman Young Adult Forum in Lagos. The conference attracted thousands of participants both physically and virtually.
Speaking at the event, Project Coordinator Emmanuel Aloysius described the conference as a platform designed to equip young people with practical skills, knowledge, and values needed to succeed in today's rapidly changing world. He urged participants to go beyond acquiring knowledge by applying it to create positive change in their communities.
Delivering the keynote address, Lagos Diocesan Pastor of the Watchman Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement, Pastor Protase Opara, said the conference theme, "Shift," challenges young people to embrace intentional transformation. Drawing lessons from biblical figures, he encouraged attendees to cultivate discipline, pursue excellence, and prepare for leadership opportunities in business and public service.
The conference featured discussions on entrepreneurship, innovation, career development, governance, and financial empowerment. Deputy Superintendent of Police Maureen Chinaka advised participants to plan their careers carefully, identify their strengths, and invest in continuous learning and mentorship.
Chief Executive Officer of Glowfield International Schools, Blessing Anenechukwu, urged young people to develop practical, marketable skills that solve real-life problems, stressing that lasting income comes from creating value rather than relying solely on academic qualifications.
Co-founder of Evolv Africa, Emmanuel Nduka, shared strategies for turning skills into profitable ventures, while representatives of Zenith Bank introduced financial products aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises.
One of the highlights of the conference was the "Pitch Your Business" competition, where five entrepreneurs presented innovative business ideas before a panel of judges. Gideon Ofoegbu, Co-founder of Kenai Health Solutions, emerged as the winner, receiving a ₦1 million business grant to expand his health technology platform, which focuses on telemedicine and AI-assisted healthcare services.
The remaining finalists were promised mentorship, business advisory services, and access to future funding opportunities through the Watchman Young Adult Forum Empowerment Project.
The event also featured road safety awareness campaigns by the Federal Road Safety Corps, discussions on faith and governance, spoken-word performances, and awards recognising outstanding speakers and candidates who scored above 300 in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The conference concluded with a call for participants to become agents of positive change by promoting integrity, enterprise, leadership, and innovation in addressing societal challenges.
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