Young Nigerians Urged to Innovate at ARISE Conference

The fifth edition of the ARISE Conference, organized by the Watchman Young Adult Forum, took place in Lagos, gathering thousands of young leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals. The two-day hybrid summit emphasized the importance of innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship for personal and national development.

Michael Oyagha, the Director, and Project Coordinator Emmanuel Aloysius described the conference as a transformative platform for equipping youth with practical knowledge. Keynote speaker Pastor Protase Opara urged participants to adopt a mindset of intentional transformation, discipline, and excellence.

The conference included sessions on entrepreneurship, governance, and financial empowerment, with speakers like Deputy Superintendent of Police Maureen Chinaka and CEO Blessing Anenechukwu encouraging skill development and continuous learning. A highlight was the “Pitch Your Business” competition, where Gideon Ofoegbu of Kenai Health Solutions won a N1 million grant for his health technology platform.

Other finalists received mentorship and business support. The event also featured discussions on road safety, faith, and governance.