Fides Media Living the Faith
The Executive Governor of Cross Rivers State, Professor Ben Ayade has challenged Catholic youths to be proactively involved in the Evangelization apostolate of the Church through aggressive reach out with the Good News of the Gospel to win more souls for Christ in the country.
The governor made the call in his address at the opening ceremony of the fifth National Youth Day (NYD), celebration, held recently at St Patrick’s College grounds, Calabar, Cross Rivers State. According to him, all Catholics, especially the youths, are expected to practice the Catholic faith, religiously and teach the doctrine with total commitment and dedication,
Urging the youths not to take the Church for granted, Governor Ayade admonished them to take their Catholic faith very seriously, have the fear of God and preach the Good News of Christ to those who are yet to see the true light of God. Professor Ayade who is an avowed Catholic also urged the youths to play their expected role in the society in consonance with the doctrine and teachings of the Catholic Church. He told them to get their PVC, to able to participate in the 2019 General Elections and elect credible people into government for the common good of the country.
The Governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Mr. Emmanuel Udom represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem also advised the delegates on the need for the youths of the country to embrace good morals and spirituality of life to enable them play their expected roles in the building of an egalitarian Nigerian society.
Other speakers at the opening ceremony included the Episcopal Chairman for the CBCN Youth Committee, Most Rev. John Oyejola who admonished them to embrace holiness of life to counter immorality and decadence that are rampant in modern day society; and the Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Rev. Fr. Ralph Madu who urged the youths to comport themselves and prayerfully reflect on how to be agents of evangelization and moral compass for the society, especially among their peers.
Also present at the opening ceremony were: Bishop Camillus Umoh of Ikot Ekpene Diocese, who presented a keynote address on the theme of the Conference: Do not be Afraid Mary, you have found favour with God; and Bishop Denis Isizoh, the Auxiliary Bishop of Onitsha Archdiocese who in his presentation focused on Mass Media: Youth, Faith and Vocational Discernment; urged the youths to know, love and serve God and let their career lead them to heaven.
He also urged them not to be slaves to modern-day digital means of communication technology, but effectively use them to preach the Gospel and disseminate correct and educative news that can be of benefit for the common good of humanity.