Michael Ezenwata :
The Catholic Youth Organization of the Awka Catholic diocese celebrated its 39th anniversary at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church Nimo, joining the global village to celebrate this year’s International Youth Day.
The diocesan youth celebration with the theme,’Those Who Hope In The Lord Will Run And Not Be Weary,” featured the 2nd Edition of the grand finale singing competition for the 14 deaneries in the diocese out of which 13 deaneries participated.
The celebration kicked off with an episcopal mass presided over by the Catholic Bishop of Awka diocese Most Reverend Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor.
The Bishop in his homily, charged the youths to be dedicated in their vocation as youths and strive to use it to serve God and humanity.
Bishop Ezeokafor reminded them that the future belongs to them and as such, should maximize it for a better future and society.
According to the Prelate, the diocese will continue to engage them towards productive ventures that will make them relevant in the society, and used the forum to urge them to shun all forms of vices especially idolatry which is rampant among the modern day youths.
In his welcome address, the Awka diocesan President Ambassador Augustine Ubosi appreciated Bishop Ezeokafor for supporting the youths in words and in empowering 111 youths from the 111 parishes in the diocese with valuable skills, and to the State Deputy Governor Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim for sponsoring the 2nd edition of the Awka diocesan singing competition.
Ambassador Ubosi further appreciated the Principal Chaplain of CYON in the diocese Reverend father Paschal Udo, his Assistant Reverend father Aloysius Njepu, the Transition Committee Chairman for Dunukofia LGA Barrister Clement Ozumba, Sir Victor Umeh , CYON’s Patrons and Patronesses, for their unwavering support in advancing the cause of the youths in the diocese.
The CYON president urged that the youths be assisted with a parcel of land to build a water factory/skills acquisition/agricultural centers ,and family houses for the National Association Of Catholic Corpers in the 5 LGAS covering the diocese namely, Anaocha, Awka South, Awka North, Njikoka and Dunukofia.
The Anambra state Commissioner for Finance Honourable Izuchukwu Okafor who graced the occasion through his representative, Honourable Maduabuchukwu Ezeokafor encouraged the youths to work entirely for God and to shun all vices that will truncate their future.
The Commissioner used the forum to appreciate the governor of the state Prof. Chukwuma Soludo for his passion for the youths in the state demonstrated in his empowerment of thousands of youths in his 1 youth 2 skills programme in the state.
The chairman of the occasion and the Transition Committee Chairman for Dunukofia LGA Barrister Ozumba delivered his goodwill message to the youths through his representative Sir Onyekachukwu Ezika.
Others who felicitated with the youths and encouraged them to forge ahead include some awardees at the youth forum Prof. Cajetan Goodluck represented by Mr. Ifeanyi Ndubuisi, Mr. Sylvester Anyaogu, Sister Amarachukwu Onwurah ex- Director of Socials2 CYON Awka diocese represented by the deanery President Ugwuoba deanery Mr. Nelson Ngene, and Mr. Peter Okoli from Umunze.
Highpoints of the occasion were the diocesan singing competition during which the Agulu deanery took the 1st position with 84%, Awka deanery one 2nd position with 79%, and Awka deanery 2 3rd position with 78.6%, and the cathedraticum which featured the homage paid to the Bishop by the deaneries.
