The Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District, Senator Austin Akobundu has charged youths of the Catholic Diocese of Umuahia to remain good ambassadors of the Christian faith and responsible members of the society.
Senator Akobundu who gave the charge as a Special Guest of Honour at the “Beginning The Year With The Lord/A Day With The Bishop Programme” organized by the Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria (CYON) Umuahia Diocese held at Mater Dei Cathedral, Umuahia, lauded the youths for beginning the year with the Lord which he said has afforded them another opportunity to rededicate their commitments towards the Diocesan youth apostolate.
Represented by Mr. Enyinnaya Standhope Nwaigwe, Senator Akobundu, a committed Catholic by faith assured the youths of Umuahia Catholic Diocese, and in fact youths of Abia State generally, that he holds them in high esteem even as he promised to carry them along in his numerous youth-oriented programmes.
Senator Akobundu, who is also Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs, said as part of his efforts in addressing youth unemployment and restiveness among the youths, he has organized training and empowerment programmes of many youths of Abia Central in the areas of fishery, sewing, painting, cosmetology; award of scholaships to 113 students at National Teachers’ Institute, Oboro Ikwuano Study Centre; ongoing building of Skills Acquisition Centres in each of the 6 LGAs of Abia Central, facilitating of jobs at different federal MDAs, empowerment of 1,000 youths of Abia Central with digital skills among other youth-oriented programmes.
He stressed that all the programmes, including those in the offing, are geared towards capacity building of the youthful population of Abia Central Senatorial District and assured them of even better packages to come.
In his message to the youths, the Catholic Bishop of Umuahia, Most Rev. Michael Kalu Ukpong charged the youths to avoid get-rich-quick syndrome which is very rampant among youths these days and urged them to remain good followers of Christ who endured suffering for the redemption of mankind.
In his address, the Umuahia Diocesan President of the Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria (CYON), Catechist Igboeche Ernest Chukwujindu said the event provided them the opportunity to rededicate themselves to God. He thanked God for being merciful and providing them with sufficient grace to surmount the challenges besetting Nigeria and appreciated Senator Austin Akobundu and other guests for identifying with them.
In their separate remarks, the CYON Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Christian Okoro, the Chairman on the occasion, Sir Chris Nwanevu and the Chairman of the Diocesan Pastoral Council, Sir Titus Agomuoh among others, commended the youths of the Diocese for their efforts in keeping to the faith and pledged to sustain their support to them.
The event featured a question and answer session, cultural display by the youths, among others.
