Empowering Lagos Youth for the Future: Church-Led Convention Trains Over 500 at Fountain of Life Mount Zion
By The People’s Voice Nigeria News
A transformative youth initiative in Lagos has captured widespread attention as over 500 young people received free training in practical skills during the 2025 Lagos Province Youth Convention, organized by the Eternal Sacred Order of the Morning Star and St. Michael Star Fountain of Life Mount Zion, World Wide.
Held at the church’s Fountain of Life Mount Zion branch in Festac Town, the week-long convention drew participants from across Lagos and beyond. Themed “Ignite the Fire: Living Boldly for Christ,” the program aimed to address youth idleness during school holidays and equip attendees with tools for long-term personal and professional growth.
Vision and Leadership Behind the Event
Speaking to reporters, Doyin Diya Odusanya, Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, revealed that the initiative was birthed from a desire to turn downtime into opportunity.
“We didn’t want idle time to become harmful time,” Odusanya said. “This was about creating platforms that open minds and transform futures.”
Doyin Diya Odusanya, Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy as well as the Convener, 2025 Youth Convention, Lagos Province
He emphasized inclusivity, noting that the training was open to youth of all backgrounds and faiths.
Skills That Matter — From Tie & Dye to Tech
Youth participants were trained across eight major disciplines, including Adire (tie & dye), shoemaking, electrical engineering, beauty services, web design, and mobile business strategies. Facilitators from Abeokuta’s Bolshoi Group conducted cultural workshops, while IT experts focused on digital branding and e-commerce.
“Someone came for hairstyling, saw Adire, and switched. Another left Adire for shoemaking,” Odusanya recounted. “That’s the power of exposure.”
A cross section of participants and trainees proudly displaying their finished products at the 2025 Youth Convention, Lagos Province.
A cross section of participants and trainees proudly displaying their finished products at the 2025 Youth Convention, Lagos Province.
The training was 100% free, with starter kits, mentorship, and certification offered to all participants.
Institutional Support and Life Lessons
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) was also represented, with Austin Falowo, Head of Debt Management & Enforcement, FIRS, Lagos Mainland East, delivering a powerful and relatable keynote.
Speaking both as a public servant and youth mentor, Falowo emphasized the enduring relevance of foundational skills in a rapidly shifting economic landscape.
“There will always be demand for shoes, food, and power,” Falowo remarked. “No matter how advanced tech gets, these trades remain irreplaceable.”
He challenged the audience to rethink traditional notions of career prestige and understand that many so-called “informal skills” are deeply tied to survival and growth in any society.
“AI may replace paperwork, but it won’t sew shoes or pop popcorn,” he said with a smile, gesturing to the buzzing stalls around him. “Those who learn and harness these skills will always have value.”
Falowo also touched on digital entrepreneurship, noting the synergy between basic infrastructure and modern business:
“If you sell online—WhatsApp, Instagram—you still need power to charge your phone, logistics to move goods, and hands-on skills to create products. It’s all connected.”
He concluded with a message that deeply resonated with youth attendees:
“A certificate shows you can be disciplined. But what you do with your hands often determines your real income. This side hustle can become your empire.”
Faith at the Core: Baba Aladura’s Words
Spiritual leadership also guided the event, with Pa. Joseph Olatunji Adenaike, the 93-year-old Baba Aladura of the Morning Star and St. Michael Star Fountain of Life Mount Zion, World Wide, providing reflections on the mission, history, and legacy of the movement.
“A better life begins with dedication — to God and to self,” he said. “And our youth must lead the way.”
Pa. Joseph Olatunji Adenaike, Baba Aladura of the Morning Star and St. Michael Star Fountain of Life Mount Zion, World Wide
He affirmed the church’s ongoing commitment to holistic youth development.
With a deep voice that carried wisdom from nearly a century of faith, Baba Aladura urged the youth not only to acquire skills but to nurture spiritual resilience in a world of distractions.
“Knowledge without godliness is hollow,” he added. “Let your hands be skilled and your heart stay rooted in truth.”
Looking Ahead: Expansion Plans and Sponsorship
Organizers confirmed that the program will expand to other Nigerian states including Abuja and Kogi, with advanced multi-week trainings planned. Conversations with banks and corporate sponsors are ongoing to support outstanding trainees with startup capital.
Over 500 youth were registered, trained, and equipped free of charge with room for up to 1,000 participants.
A cross section of participants and trainees proudly displaying their finished products at the 2025 Youth Convention, Lagos Province.
Cross section of participants and trainees displaying their finished products at the 2025 Youth Convention Lagos Province
A Convention That Sparked More Than Skills
From the scent of popcorn wafting through training booths to the vivid colors of Adire art, the 2025 convention was a vivid demonstration of how faith-based organizations can drive national youth empowerment. The Lagos Province Youths didn’t just host an event — they ignited a movement.
Finished products at the 2025 Youth Convention, Lagos Province.
Finished products at the 2025 Youth Convention, Lagos Province.
A cross section of participants during training at the 2025 Youth Convention, Lagos Province.
A cross section of participants during training at the 2025 Youth Convention, Lagos Province.
A cross section of participants during training at the 2025 Youth Convention, Lagos Province.
