The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has tasked political leaders at all levels to involve the Nigerian youths in nation building instead of using them for thuggery and all forms of electoral malpractices.
The Christian umbrella made this clarion call just as it charged Nigerian youths to be patriotic, dedicated, hardworking, committed, optimistic, focused and hopeful in all their endeavour if they must be relevant as the country is facing a lot of challenges threatening her stability.
Speaking at the official inauguration of the new leadership of the Youth Wing Christian Association of Nigeria (YUWICAN), the CAN President, Rev Dr Samson Olasupo Ayokunle decried the menace of unemployment in the country despite the potentials of our youths due to visionless leadership and how politicians have been misusing them for selfish reasons.
He said, “Election is coming, campaign has begun. I call on all our politicians to stop using our youths for violence and electoral manipulations.
“God has deposited a lot of potentials in our youths with a view to using them as builders of this country. The politicians should stop misusing them.
“I call on all Nigerian youths especially the Christian youths to shun all electoral violence and manipulations.”
He also reminded those playing leadership roles in the Church to regard their tasks as sacrifices to God instead of seeing their works as channels of enriching themselves.
Speaking on THE ROLE OF CHRISTIAN YOUTH IN NATION BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT, the Director of National Issues and Social Welfare of the Association, Rt. Rev. (Dr) Stephen T.V. Adegbite who was the Guest Speaker urged the Christian youths to be involved in the political process as part of their responsibilities in Nation Building.
“Youths must seek to participate in government, politics and policy formulation. We must shelve aside our responsibilities of joining mainstream politics and forming healthy and progressive alliances among ourselves and participating in all issues of national interest.
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“Service and sacrifice to the country and fatherland in the spirit of true patriotism must be a front burner in the heart of every youth. This means the country’s peace, sanity and orderliness should be the utmost desire of every youth. By way of responsibility, the participation and involvement of the Christian youth in nationalisation is mandatory.
“It is also evidence that patriotism is the first trait lacking among Christian youths. For any nation to move forward, the people and most especially the Christian youth must love their country unconditionally.
“All the evil that befall befalls this country, like corruption, terrorism, ethno religious crisis are as a result of lack of true patriotism. If we truly love this nation, we will do anything to protect her interest and we will have in mind that Nigeria is bigger than any individual or institution.”
In his own remark, the Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki appealed to the Nigerian youths to say NO to all forms of violence in the coming general election.
Saraki who was represented by Senator Philip Tanimo Aduda as one of the awardees said, “I call on all Nigerian youths not to participate in any electoral violence as we are drawing closer to the 2019 election. They are welcome on board in the building of our country and we promise that we will not fail them.”
He used the opportunity to solicit for prayers and support in his bid to become the President of the country next year.
The new leadership of the YOWICAN includes Apostle Nyeneime Andy (the President), Pastor Adegbegi E. Ayodeji (Vice President), Pius Peter (Assistant National Secretary), and Miss Ekom Ladi Lydia (Treasurer).
Others are the National Directors; Ama Kalu, Okoye Paschal, Isaiah Tovishede, Kenny Steve and Ibrahim Istifanus Tal.
Other awardees included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, the CAN President, Dr Ayokunle, the Chairman, Northern CAN Pastor Yakubu Pam, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and a few others.
Signed
Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, Special Assistant (Media & Communications) to CAN President, Rev Dr Samson Olasupo Ayokunle
Friday, 14th September, 2018.
