Rising Stars of Africa: Empowering Youth for Value-Based Leadership at ABLI 2024 Youth Assembly: Cultivating Tomorrow’s Leaders
A crowning highlight of the ABLI Nigeria 2024 was the Youth Assembly, a dedicated platform empowering young African leaders to shape their future. The Annual NYSC National Symposium was integrated into the assembly under the theme “Arise and Shine: Raising a New Generation of Transformational Leaders”. Pastor Poju Oyemade and Dr. Vishal Mangalwadi delivered compelling messages, urging young people to take charge of their futures by adopting a leadership model that values service, resilience, and integrity. They encouraged young leaders to rise above societal challenges and contribute to a movement of positive change and stressed that true leadership goes beyond personal ambition, instead, calling on the youth to embody values of resilience, humility, and vision.
Pastor Poju Oyemade particularly underscored the importance of resilience in leadership, urging young attendees to see challenges as opportunities to innovate and grow. He challenged the young attendees to “rise above mediocrity and embrace excellence in all pursuits and emphasised the importance of integrity and the courage to stand up for truth in all situations, appealing to the youth’s sense of purpose and destiny in leading Africa toward a brighter future. Dr. Vishal Mangalwadi, an influential thought leader and author, encouraged young people to draw inspiration from biblical teachings, fostering leadership that serves others and builds communities. He highlighted the importance of drawing on one’s faith to navigate and positively influence societal structures, pointing out that young people have the power to instil hope and reshape narratives through service-oriented leadership. His message underscored the transformational power of faith-driven leadership, urging the youth to consider their potential impact on social justice, economic development, and ethical governance.
Their messages resonated deeply, challenging the youth to embrace their roles as agents of change and to foster leadership rooted in integrity and resilience. The assembly emphasised the forum’s commitment to raising a new generation of transformational leaders capable of leading Africa toward a prosperous future.
Essence of the ABLI Nigeria 2024 Youth Assembly
At the heart of the 2024 forum, the Youth Assembly served as a dynamic space for young Africans to explore their potential as agents of transformation. Recognising Africa’s young demographic as both its present and future, ABLI dedicated this assembly to equip youth with the tools and mindset needed for leadership that is rooted in integrity, social cohesion, and spiritual grounding. The Youth Assembly aligns with ABLI’s core mission to promote value-based leadership across all sectors, empowering youth to lead with purpose, accountability, and resilience.
The Youth Assembly was not merely a segment of the event but a vital element, setting the stage for future leaders to take ownership of Africa’s challenges and contribute to its progress. ABLI’s emphasis on the Youth Assembly reflects its understanding that Africa’s journey toward sustainable transformation depends on the active participation and leadership of young people.
At the heart of the 2024 forum, the Youth Assembly served as a dynamic space for young Africans to explore their potential as agents of transformation. Recognising Africa’s young demographic as both its present and future, ABLI dedicated this assembly to equip youth with the tools and mindset needed for leadership that is rooted in integrity, social cohesion, and spiritual grounding. The Youth Assembly aligns with ABLI’s core mission to promote value-based leadership across all sectors, empowering youth to lead with purpose, accountability, and resilience.
The Youth Assembly was not merely a segment of the event but a vital element, setting the stage for future leaders to take ownership of Africa’s challenges and contribute to its progress. ABLI’s emphasis on the Youth Assembly reflects its understanding that Africa’s journey toward sustainable transformation depends on the active participation and leadership of young people.
Catalyzing a Movement of Change-Makers
As a follow up to ABLI, the BSN is commencing the Catalysing Leaders Training (CLT) in 2025 to train African future leaders in biblical leadership. This is co-sponsored by the BFBS and BSN. This is because, with each forum, ABLI aims to catalyse a movement of youth equipped and ready to lead. The assembly reaffirmed that Africa’s future lies in the hands of young leaders who will steer the continent towards sustainable progress.
As a follow up to ABLI, the BSN is commencing the Catalysing Leaders Training (CLT) in 2025 to train African future leaders in biblical leadership. This is co-sponsored by the BFBS and BSN. This is because, with each forum, ABLI aims to catalyse a movement of youth equipped and ready to lead. The assembly reaffirmed that Africa’s future lies in the hands of young leaders who will steer the continent towards sustainable progress.
Conclusion
The ABLI Forum 2024 in Abuja successfully advanced its mission to catalyse personal and cultural transformation across Africa through value-based leadership. By promoting integrity, social harmony, and justice, ABLI stands as a powerful testament to the potential of leadership that draws from biblical principles. As the forum concluded, it left attendees inspired, empowered, and committed to pursuing a vision of Africa led by values that serve both people and purpose. This is the model of leadership Africa needs, a leadership of integrity, unity, justice and transformation.
The ABLI Forum 2024 in Abuja successfully advanced its mission to catalyse personal and cultural transformation across Africa through value-based leadership. By promoting integrity, social harmony, and justice, ABLI stands as a powerful testament to the potential of leadership that draws from biblical principles. As the forum concluded, it left attendees inspired, empowered, and committed to pursuing a vision of Africa led by values that serve both people and purpose. This is the model of leadership Africa needs, a leadership of integrity, unity, justice and transformation.
For enquiry about the Catalysing Leaders Training (CLT), kindly call our Programmes and Production Manager, Mrs. Grace Benjamin, on 08159094138 or 07031580684, or email: distributionprogram@biblesociety-nigeria.org.