Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Chief Sunday Dare, has charged Nigerian youths to take full advantage of the opportunities provided through the administration’s youth-focused initiatives.

Dare made the call while addressing more than 24,000 young people at the Arise Congress 2.0, themed “The Emergence of Champions”, which is ongoing at the Baptist International Convention Centre along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The four-day event runs from Wednesday, September 3, to Saturday, September 6, 2025.

In his keynote address, Dare, who also chairs the Youth and Student Ministries Advisory Board of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, described Nigerian youths as “the champions of President Tinubu’s administration.” He said the President has rolled out several policies to empower young Nigerians with faith, talent, and skills to reach their full potential.

He highlighted key programs, including:

NELFUND Tuition Loans and Stipends, now benefiting over 600,000 students.

Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer, targeted at vulnerable households.

Food Security and Poverty Alleviation programs, involving the release of thousands of metric tons of grains from federal reserves and emergency nutrition support in several states.

Dare stressed the importance of character, discipline, determination, and self-motivation, urging youths to channel the opportunities into community impact rather than politics.

Other notable attendees included Rev. Israel Adelani Akanji, President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention; Rev. Dr. S. Olawuyi James, Director of Youth and Student Ministries; Pastor Fela Durotoye; and Ogun State Police Commissioner, CP Lanre Ogunlowo.