The Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Chief Sunday Dare, CON, addressed over 24,000 young people at the Arise Congress 2.0, themed “The Emergence of Champions,” held at the Baptist International Convention Centre along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The event is scheduled to take place from Wednesday, September 3, 2025, to Saturday, September 6, 2025.
During his keynote speech, Chief 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 President Tinubu has initiated several policies benefiting young Nigerians, providing them with a platform to reach their potential and excel using their faith, talent, and skills.
Chief Dare emphasised the importance of character, discipline, determination, and self-motivation in achieving success. He stated that he was not discussing politics but rather encouraging Nigerian youths to take advantage of available opportunities in the President Tinubu administration and make a positive impact in their communities. He urged Nigerian youths to have faith in President Tinubu’s administration and listed some of the President’s initiatives that aimed at empowering young Nigerians, including:
– NELFUND Tuition Loans and Stipends: Over 600,000 students now benefit from these programs.
– Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer: Aimed at providing affordable houses for three million vulnerable households.
– Food Security and Poverty Alleviation: The administration has released over 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, FAR (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).
