Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, has urged youths to embrace discipline, preparedness, and purposeful action to make meaningful impact.
Hamzat, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth, Mobolaji Ogunlende, spoke at the ‘Turning Point 7.0’ youth conference themed ‘Emerge 2026’, held at the University of Lagos on Saturday.
He said true emergence requires transforming ideas into practical, ethical, and knowledge-driven plans.
“True leadership demands integrity, strong values, and confidence built on knowledge,” Hamzat said. He urged youths to align passion with purpose and turn innovation into entrepreneurship.
The Deputy Governor encouraged continuous learning beyond formal education, stressing the need for resilience in the face of failure and the importance of converting ideas into viable businesses.
“You need sound education, understand society, apply common sense, and commit to discipline, growth, and innovation for meaningful impact,” he added.
The convener of the conference, Olusegun Odufuwa, said the forum was designed to unite youths to learn, connect, and grow despite prevailing challenges.
“The idea is to bring youths together to learn, connect and grow, reminding them that they can rise, stay motivated, and achieve their goals,” he said.
Nonye Ayeni of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) described youths as critical drivers of non-oil export growth. She urged them to become entrepreneurs and exporters by leveraging agriculture, creative industries, and global markets.
“We encourage young Nigerians to embrace NEPC programmes, build capacity, access markets, and emerge as global ambassadors,” Ayeni said.
Entrepreneur Kelechi Uchegbulem stressed that consistent daily actions and clarity of purpose are key to long-term success.
“Your emergence is not accidental; it is the product of consistent actions and deliberate decisions you make every day,” he said.
Ayodeji Razaq, Chief Executive of RED for Africa, urged youths to boldly redefine themselves and focus on strategic positioning rather than relying solely on talent. He emphasized that transformation requires resilience, discipline, and the willingness to leave comfort zones.
Participants described the event as impactful and inspiring. Confidence Chukwurah said it offered young leaders valuable exposure, while Adegbe Mercy noted it provided alternative career pathways through skills development.
No fewer than 3,000 youths from institutions including the University of Lagos and Yaba College of Technology attended the conference, according to the organizers.
