Abuja: The Nigeria Fellowship of Evangelical Students (NIFES) has called on the Federal Government to prioritise youth empowerment as a strategic solution to the country’s socio-economic and moral challenges. The National Director of NIFES, Mr. Rex Onuh, made the call in Abuja during a media briefing to herald the 2025 NIFES National Missions Conference (NMC).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Onuh stated that investing in the youth is synonymous with investing in Nigeria’s future. He emphasized NIFES’s commitment to training young men and women to become leaders of influence and agents of transformation, noting that since its inception, NIFES has trained and equipped over two million young people who contribute significantly to nation-building.
The national director highlighted the fellowship’s extensive reach, noting its active presence in tertiary institutions across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with a membership of over 24,000 students. He explained that through various training programmes, discipleship initiatives, and leadership conferences, NIFES has shaped the character and value systems of students.
Onuh lamented the prevailing moral decay in society, citing corruption, mismanagement of public funds, and ethnic intolerance as vices eroding the national fabric. He expressed optimism that Nigeria, blessed with people of great potential, could experience a rebirth through value-driven leadership.
He emphasized the need for collaboration between the government and stakeholders, stating that working together to invest in the youth is fundamental to raising a godly and prosperous nation. Onuh also called for godly leadership and a commitment to excellence in governance to tackle the nation’s security and moral challenges.
He urged leaders at all levels to lead by example by ensuring justice and guaranteeing the security of lives and property. He stressed the importance of promoting righteousness and excellence over mediocrity, asserting that integrity in leadership sets a powerful precedent for youths.
Onuh announced that the forthcoming national conference, scheduled for Nov. 19 to Nov. 23 at the NIFES Conference Centre in Kwali, Abuja, would host over 3,000 participants under the theme ‘Ripe for Harvest’. The conference aims to invest strategically in the moral and spiritual framework of Nigeria’s future leaders.
He called on well-meaning Nigerians and partners to support NIFES in its mission of ‘Building Tomorrow’s Leaders Today’ through prayers, expertise, and financial resources, emphasizing the importance of building a new generation of leaders who uphold truth, justice, and righteousness.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that NIFES is an indigenous, national, and interdenominational Christian organisation with a 57-year history of leadership development and evangelism on campuses.