Sanwo Olu to Youths: Don’t Wait for Opportunities, Turn Your Ideas Into Impact
Kehinde Adeleye
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo Olu, has challenged young people in the state to make good character, creativity and innovation the foundation of their future, urging them to use available opportunities to build businesses and contribute to society.
Sanwo Olu, represented by his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, gave the charge on Sunday at the 2026 International Youth Conference of the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement at the church’s headquarters in Ijesa, Lagos.
The conference, which began on Friday, was held under the theme, “Youth That Knows the Lord.”
Addressing the youths, the governor urged them not to remain indifferent to the development of Nigeria but to recognise their role in shaping the country’s future through their talents, creativity and ingenuity.
Sanwo Olu told the young participants that character should remain at the centre of their pursuit of success, warning that talent, intelligence, education and connections could become liabilities when they were not backed by good character.
He urged the youths to know the Lord, live according to His teachings and allow their faith to influence their decisions, conduct and relationships with others.
According to him, Lagos remains a city filled with opportunities for young people who are willing to turn their ideas and talents into meaningful ventures.
“Lagos is a city of opportunities, a place where young persons turn ideas into businesses. Be creative in your endeavours and impact your world positively,” he said.
The governor encouraged Lagos youths to take advantage of the various empowerment programmes provided by the state government, assuring them that government was ready to create platforms through which their talents and ideas could gain visibility.
“The state has many youth empowerment schemes. Bring your ingenuity to bear; the state will support you with platforms to project you,” Sanwo Olu said.
He also urged the youths to look beyond traditional career paths and use technology to develop solutions that could have an impact locally and globally.
“Influence the world with technology from your location in the state and make your parents and your country proud,” he added.
Sanwo Olu expressed delight at the large turnout of young people at the conference, saying their participation reflected a desire among the youths to deepen their relationship with God and live purposeful lives.
He also commended the leadership of the church for organising the conference, particularly its focus on faith, unity and purpose among young people.
Also speaking, the General Overseer of the church, Lazarus Muoka, prayed for the progress of Lagos State and its leadership.
Muoka urged the youths to remain steadfast in their faith and purposeful in their contributions to society, stressing the importance of combining spiritual values with responsible citizenship.
The conference featured worship, prayers, thanksgiving and sessions centred on divine intervention, restoration and breakthroughs before ending on Sunday.
