By Polycarp Ifeanyi, Onitsha
It was indeed a life transformation event as Faithspiration Initiative Organised her long-awaited program tagged“Youth Forum” with the theme, “Blossoming Youth Flourishing Generation”.
The event which was maiden edition held at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Odoakpu Onitsha, Anambra state and featured the empowerment of seven youths drawn from different locations who were financially equipped by various eminent personalities. The empowered youths were chosen from the Onitsha environs; Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; and Faithspiration Initiative Family.
Five of the beneficiaries were sponsored by the former gubernatorial candidate in Anambra state, Chief Valentine Ozigbo, while one person was sponsored by the member representing Onitsha South II Constituency in Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Jude Ifeanyichukwu Umennajiego, as well as the Speaker of the State House, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze; even as the last person was sponsored by Transition Committee Chairman for Ayamelum Local Government Area, Dr. Anslem Onuorah.
Advising the youths on the need to engage in meaningful ventures, Chief Ozigbo noted that uncertainty attracts innovation, urging them to be inspired, have faith in God and be hard-working; while, on his own part, Hon. Umennajiego advised youths to desist from idolatry, diligently serve God and put their trust in Him.
In their separate remarks, the Transition Committee Chairman of Ayamelu, Dr. Onuorah, and the representative of Onitsha North Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Justice Azika enjoined youths to use their talents to transform the society. Contributing, the Aguata Local Government Area Transition Committee Chairman, Dr. Chibueze Ofobuike encouraged youths to impact positively and contribute to the development of the society, warning them shun quick acquisition of wealth.
Similarly, a resource person, Mr. Charles Izuoba who spoke on digital skills orientation said that both students, employers and employees are the critical set of people who needs to have basic knowledge of digital skills.
In his homily, Rev. Fr. Johnbosco Igwe reminded the youths that traditional practice is beautiful if only one practices it without worshipping idol, stressing that early Christian Missionaries did not trick Ndigbo but suffered for their betterments.
He disclosed that traditional practice is not worshipping idol except one dilutes it, emphasizing profoundly that “Oke Ite” methods of making wealth is not Igbo tradition.
The cleric mentioned and expounded three different dimensions of traditional practice which included; economic dimension, political dimension and social dimension, urging the youths to avoid being in contact with fake prophets, while also advising them to always pray for their priests.
Expressing his appreciation, the Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Odoakpu, Rev. Fr. Martin Ikeagu counted it a thing of joy and great privilege for his Parish to host the event, extolling priests, dignitaries and everyone who graced the event.
He specifically eulogized the founder and initiator of Faithspiration Initiative, Rev. Fr. Dr. George Adimike for choosing his Parish as the event venue, attesting to its success.
Addressing his participants, the founder and initiator of Faithspiration Initiative, Rev. Fr. Dr. Adimike said, “I am so happy to welcome all of you to this assembly for the first edition of Faithspiration Initiative’s Youth Forum. This is the first experience, but I assure you that from now onward, we must take back our state, we must take back our city. We must take back our society for Christ, and that is our determination.”
“So, we are taking off from Sacred Heart Odoakpu, Onitsha. Our Mission is to move from this place to all the cities in the Nigeria and all other nations until we conquer the world for Christ. We must not rest, we will continue to move until our society is ratified.
“To those who made the occasion possible, I welcome all of you. Those who came from Enugu, Oyo and different parts of Nigeria. So, this event is a mission, a mission that would aide us to penetrate the society. So, we’ll make sure that we transform our society for better. Psalm 24 Vs 1 says, ‘The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it’. We can not abandon this earth to devil and its agents,” Fr. George concluded.
High points of the event included; words of God, prayer and devine impartation by Rev. Fr. Alex Chukwuebuka Eze and motivational speech conducted by Rev. Fr. Johnmark Okafor, while Chief Imo, Onye Obodo, Igwe White, Mc Edu Comedy, Lord Zeus, Evangelist Onyeka Obiezu (Onye Amuma) and other entertainers thrilled the participants with their various performances.
