Over 6,000 young people attend ‘Pacesetters’ Conference to build leadership, patriotism

More than 6,000 young people gathered on Sunday for the first-ever ‘Pacesetters’ conference, aimed at enhancing their leadership skills and fostering a sense of patriotism.

The one-day event, hosted by the Deeper Life Bible Church in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, welcomed youth from universities, National Youth Corps Members, young professionals, and secondary school students.

The conference featured several speakers who addressed key topics such as leadership development, overcoming challenges, excelling in studies and chosen careers, spiritual growth, and becoming positive change-makers in their communities.

Pastor Adeniyi Hassan, the State Overseer of Deeper Life Bible Church in FCT, was the convener of the event. He explained that the conference aligned with the vision of the church’s General Superintendent, Pastor Dr William Kumuyi, who has long championed youth development. The aim was to instil godly leadership qualities in young people, preparing them to contribute to nation-building in these challenging times.

Pastor Hassan shared: “Pastor (Dr) William Kumuyi has been passionate about youth development for over 50 years. He launched the Youth Impact Academy in 2022, bringing together secondary school students, university students, and young professionals to help them grow. This initiative, alongside the Global Crusade with Kumuyi (GCK), has been a tremendous success.”

He continued, “The younger generation holds great potential. If we don’t guide them now, we risk losing the future. By nurturing their leadership skills today, these young people will become tomorrow’s leaders in businesses, organisations, and even government. We want them to aim high, knowing that as Christians, they are capable of great achievements.”

Pastor Adeniyi Hassan, State Overseer, Deeper Life Bible Church FCT ministering during the conference

The conference also emphasised that being a Christian should never limit one’s ambitions. Pastor Hassan pointed out figures like David, Joseph, and Daniel, who led nations and excelled in their roles. “Christians should not settle for mediocrity,” he said. “If we set the right pace now, our younger generation will soon take up influential positions in society, whether in government or key sectors of the economy.”

He also encouraged the youth to live godly lives, saying: “If our youth pursue godliness and set the pace in their careers and lives, our nation will surely prosper. The strength of any nation lies in its youth, and when they live rightly, there is no limit to what they can achieve.”

Pastor Dr Fredrick Keni, the State Youth Coordinator, expressed his gratitude to God, noting that the ‘Pacesetters’ conference was a huge success. The event brought together regional overseers, state coordinators of the Deeper Life Campus Fellowship, and the Young Professionals Forum (YPF), marking a powerful gathering of young leaders.