Abuja played host to the sixth edition of the DARE Conference on October 16–17, 2026, under the theme Youth Power as a Pathway to Africa’s Future. Organised by YouthHubAfrica, the two-day gathering brought together more than 1,000 young Africans, both in person and virtually, for conversations on health, governance, education, entrepreneurship, and the role of youth in driving continental progress.
Among the speakers was Rector Pascal, Founder and Executive Director of the We Are Not Thugs Initiative and the Rector Pascal Foundation. He delivered a pop-up session titled “Starting Again: The Power of Second Chances” on the opening day.
A message rooted in community
Through his grassroots work with vulnerable communities in Lagos, including Shitta, Surulere, and Mushin, Rector Pascal has become known for challenging the stigma surrounding substance use. He advocates for approaches rooted in dignity, support and recovery rather than judgment — the core philosophy of We Are Not Thugs: that young people battling addiction are not “thugs,” but individuals seeking relief from pain, trauma and pressure.
His session at DARE aligned closely with the conference’s focus on youth empowerment. Drawing from real recovery stories, community medical outreaches, aftercare support and storytelling campaigns, he reinforced that second chances are not abstract ideals but practical pathways that allow young people to reclaim purpose and contribute meaningfully to Africa’s future.
Youth power beyond the panels
The conference featured tea conversations, panels, pop-up sessions, performances and cross-thematic dialogues, with speakers ranging from health experts and policymakers to young advocates and artists. Rector Pascal’s participation added a vital voice on mental health, rehabilitation and inclusion within the broader conversation on unlocking youth power.
For a movement built on zero-judgment support, aftercare homes and public storytelling, the invitation to the DARE stage represents growing recognition that addressing substance use and stigma is central to youth development and national progress.
As YouthHubAfrica continues to create platforms that connect young people with ideas and action, sessions like Rector Pascal’s highlight how recovery, dignity and second chances are not side issues, but essential building blocks for Africa’s future.
