Primate Anglican communion, Okoh tasks AYF members on PVC ---warns Anglican Youths not to be tool in hands of politicians

www.odogwublog.com reports that National Council of the Anglican Youth Fellowship (AYF), Nigeria has ended its 61st annual National Youth Conference in Awka with a charge on all their over two Million (2,000,000) registered members across Nigeria to obtain their Permanent Voters card (PVC) to enthrone a God fearing leadership for the country in 2019.


The 5 day conference tagged ‘’Awka 2019’’ with theme ‘’Power for Exploit’’ started on 8th August and ended on 12th August, 2018 at Paul University, Awka. Grand Patron AYF Nigeria, the Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh who is also the Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion was represented by the host and Anglican Bishop of Awka Right Reverend Alexander Ibezim PhD.

Archbishop, Metropolitan and primate, Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Most Rev Nicolas Okoh warned youths to desist from any act that could cause violence during the 2019 general elections in Nigeria but rather use their PVCs to vote for candidates of their choice.

The Archbishop represented by the Anglican Bishop of Awka Diocese, Rt Rev Alexander Ibezim handed the warning at Paul University field in Awka, Anambra state during the 61st Annual National Bible Study Conference of the Anglican Youth Fellowship (AYF) which has over 3000 participants across the country in attendance.

The theme of the week long programme is; “Power for Exploits” taken from Acts 1:8.

He however urged the youths to participate actively in the 2019 elections but avoid the act of violence and the temptation of being used as thugs by politicians.

Archbishop Okoh said: “Our nation today is marred by violence, killing, kidnapping, robbery, political recklessness, wicked rascality and other similar hitches. You must be very careful in all your activities. You must make sure you are not involved or become a tool in the hands of the evil people. It is a sin for anyone to be used as political thugs. Do not kill or allow yourself to be killed.

“Endevour to get your PVCs and be ready to vote come 2019 general elections. Nothing stops you from registering with political parties and be ready for elective positions. We are praying that God will raise fateful people for us” he said

Speaking on the theme of the conference, Archbishop Okoh called on the youths to emulate Christ and follow his footsteps for their own salvation.

According to him, “Christians are called to become instrumental in serving other people and the youths must receive power in this urgent missionary assignment. Our attitude should distinguish us from this wicked generation. We should endvour at all time to pay the supreme price to please God that called us. The primate said I should tell you to make Holy spirit your companion.

“The Primate desires to be with you during your 70th year anniversary in Lagos and in this conference but could not make it. He said I should tell you to continue to follow the footprint of the perfect man, Jesus Christ.

The primate thanks the province of the Niger and Diocese of Awka for hosting the 2018 conference and also thanked the past and present leaders of AYF for making Anglican Youth fellowship to be on a sound footing.

Vice Chancellor of Paul University, Awka, Venerable Prof Uche Isiugo-Abanihe who was represented by Ven. Gift Ohakwe while welcoming the delegates at the conference stressed on the need for the youths to resist  the negative characteristics of the present time, which he said, is characterised by immorality, sexual abuse,  homosexuality and prostitution.
The Chief Host, Bishop of Nnewi and Archbishop of the Niger, Most Reverend Prof Godwin Okpala , OON as well as Ven Osazee Egbenusi , National Religious Coordinator ; Bro Ogunnubi Gbenga National Public Relations Officer; Bro Aghogho Igho, National Secretary and Bro Brown Lloyd, National President and Right Reverend Jolly Oyekpen, Ven Prof Uche Isiugoabanife , Vice Chancellor of Paul University, Awka ; Administrative Secretary to Anglican Bishop of Awka , Ven Onyinyechukwu Ilione; AYF outgoing National President, Bro Chukwuebuka Eze, Outgoing  National Secretary, Sis Ogechi Chima Anyaku; a renowned priest of God, Ven Gift Ohakwe, Archdiocese of the Provincial Chaplain , Revd Osita Nwofia;  Awka Diocesan Chaplain Reverend Nnamdi Ajaoku;  a school Administrator and Chaplain of St Pauls’ College Awka, Ven Ifeanyi Umeh; AYF National Coordinator and Bishop of Akoko Edo diocese, AYF National Coordinator and Bishop of Akoko Edo diocese among others were either there on ground or were represented.

It featured prayer sessions for Nigeria etc, Bible study, quiz competition, Talent hunt, variety shows, seminar sessions including ‘’Closed Heaven and its consequences’’ by Evangelist Great Nnamani among others.
In an interview, a former National Vice President and Pioneer President of Province 11 , Prof Ifeanyi Ezeaku encouraged the AYF youths not to relent in prayers and hard work as the two remained the key to surmount all challenges in life and unlock blessings in abundance.
Prof Ezeaku said the conference was an eye opener for him as he experienced that youths are still zealous to serve God in their youths in line with the motto of AYF….towards a perfect man. While urging the youths to remain resolute in serving God, he encouraged those who have the opportunists to be mentored not to neglect its glory but maximize its benefits.
As well, a school Administrator and Principal of St Paul’s College Secondary School Nibo /Nise , Ven Ifeanyi Umeh who led in the ministration on the opening ceremony day, appealed to youths to ensure that they are not choked up by happenings in a crooked period we live in but to be above board always in Christ Jesus , the perfect man, reminding them that shortcut to success is no success.
In his remarks, the new National President of Anglican Youth Fellowship, Nigeria , Bro Brown A.H Lloyd said they gathered across the nation with sole aim of studying the word of God and rededicating their lives to Christ Jesus. He said their gathering was for renewal of strength since they have no power of their own. He reminded the youths that evangelism remains the supreme task of the Church which they needed the power of the Holy Spirit to do.
Archbishop Province of the Niger an Bishop of Nnewi diocese, Most Revd Prof G.I.N Okpala ,OON lamented that Nigeria is plagued by all forms of evils namely corruption, armed robbery , killing of people by herdsmen and Boko Haram members , child trafficking, kidnapping , prostitution among others.
Archbishop Okpala informed that Christians pass through untold hardship occasioned by inhuman actions of leaders in the country and their institutions, adding that poverty hurts majority of the people. He decried that even democracy is in short supply.
For the National Coordinator of AYF and Bishop of Akoko Edo diocese, Rt Revd Jolly Oyekpen, informed that it has been testimony galore between their last conference in Lagos and the one in Awka and commended other Bishops for their support to the youths even as he encouraged Youth chaplains for their doggedness in following the youths in midst of tough situations in the country.
Bishop Oyekpen charged the youths to insist on redeeming the time because Apostle Paul in Ephesians 5: 16-17 charged Christians to redeem the time because the days are evil hence it is compulsory for Anglican youths to understand the perfect will of God while aspiring towards a perfect man in tandem with their motto. He encouraged them to mortify their bodies and shun all youthful lusts so as to escape the wrath of God that will come on the disobedient. He enjoined them to pursue greater exploits in Jesus Christ.

In his speech, the outgoing National President Chukwuebuka Eze said he was overwhelmed by the success his team recorded in their two terms of office and commended the Primate, and all the Bishops for good working relationship as well as the Youths across Nigeria who he said now has a voice.

In an interview , the President of Awka diocesan Youth Fellowship , Bro Chuma Okafor informed that diocese on the Niger came first in the Bible Quiz in the youth Star category while Awka diocese won the first position in Adult category becoming the first diocese to host and won the trophy. He said Asaba has been awarded the hosting right for the next conference.

Photo of  Bishop Ibezim middle, AYF National Coordinator and Bishop of Akoko Edo diocese,Right Rev Jolly E. Oyekpen and   Ven Gift Ohakwe right and others during the AYF National conference in Awka
Primate Anglican communion, Okoh tasks AYF members on PVC ---warns Anglican Youths not to be tool in hands of politicians Primate Anglican communion, Okoh tasks AYF members on PVC ---warns Anglican Youths not to be tool in hands of politicians Reviewed by Unknown on Sunday, August 12, 2018 Rating: 5

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