By Nna Anulumadu
Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria (CYON)Onitsha Archdiocese penultimate Sunday, April 16th, 2023 staged a colourful event to celebrate 2023 youth day / divine mercy Sunday.
The spectacular event which featured merit award presentation to deserving personalities, attracted the presence of the Chief Shepherd of Onitsha Archdiocese His Grace Most Rev Valerian Okeke who presided over the Holy Mass that kicked off the event.
In his homily, the prelate urged Christians to be merciful as God is to human race. Quoting the gospel, he stated ‘that blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy’, adding that who ever want mercy from God should as well show mercy to the next person. God he said created human persons out of His mercy and Has continued to show us mercy whenever we call on His name.
In a welcome address, the organization commended the Chief Shepherd Most Rev Valerian Okeke for his fatherly support to the youth and for his numerous youth empowerment programmes in the Archdiocese that has continued to transform lives. Others eulogised included the director general CYON Onitsha Archdiocese Rev Fr. Vincent Ezenwaka and the assistant director Fr Jerome Obiekezie for their sacrifices, support, encouragement and advice to members. As part of their effort to be self reliant, the organization further disclosed their readiness to establish an animal farm ( poultry and fishery) which will gulp over forty five million naira, requesting the kind hearted individuals and organizations to assist them raise the fund.
The director general Fr Vincent Ezenwaka who spoke to Trinitas said the event is a preparatory session for the world youth day scheduled to hold between July 26 and August 4, 2023. He thanked the Archbishop for his usual magnanimity to CYON , disclosing that for past few years, the organization is recording huge success in the area of bringing the youth closer to God and guiding them for higher successes in life. He charged the youth to shun all sorts of illegal means of acquiring wealth such as occultic charm known as ‘ Okite’ as that will ruin the lives of the youth. ‘Work hard and pray and you will become successful in life, he enjoined the youth’.
The president general CYON Onitsha Archdiocese Osorachukwu Okonkwo in his contribution urged fellow Youth to join hands in evangelization especially now practice of peganism is gradually returning to our society.
Igwe CYON Onitsha Archdiocese Godson Emmanuel Ede (Ogburugburu Eze ugo) and Igwe CYON Awka Etiti Zone Engr. Chinedu Ogbaji in their separate remarks said they are happy over the large turnout, calling on fellow youth to be more committed and active in things of God.
One of the awardees Comrade Ben Chikezie a.k.a Uzuakpundu who served CYON at various capacities, in his remarks appreciated the organization for recognising his contributions, advising CYON members to be their brothers keepers.
High point of the event was the ambassadorial competition that produced new set CYON of ambassadors.
