The National Youth Animator of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Very Rev. Fr. Boniface Idoko, has challenged Catholic youths to demonstrate courage, responsibility and commitment to the teachings of Christ, urging them to become true ambassadors of the Church in their daily lives.
Fr. Idoko made the call during the 2026 Diocesan Youth Week of the Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria (CYON), Minna Diocese, held from August 5 to 9 at St. Clement Secondary School, Gbaiko, Minna.
The five-day programme, organized under the theme, “Take Courage, I Have Overcome the World” (John 16:33), brought together Catholic youths from across the diocese for spiritual, intellectual, social and sporting activities.
Fr. Idoko Calls for Responsible Christian Living
Celebrating the opening Mass, Fr. Idoko urged the youths to ensure that their conduct, decisions and relationships reflect Christian values.
He emphasized that belonging to the Catholic Church should go beyond mere participation in Church activities, stressing that young Catholics must actively witness to their faith through responsible living, service and positive engagement with society.
Speaking to Lina TV during the Youth Week, the priest also called on the Federal Government to address the challenges confronting Nigerians, particularly the poor and vulnerable.
He said government has a responsibility to respond to the legitimate concerns of citizens and take measures that would improve their welfare, especially at a time when many Nigerians are experiencing economic hardship.
Fr. Idoko Clarifies Purported CYON Letter
Fr. Idoko also clarified a purported letter circulating in the public domain, saying the document did not originate from CYON.
He described the letter as fake and urged members of the public to disregard it.
He further explained that the meeting between His Eminence, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should not be interpreted as a confrontation between the Catholic Church and government.
According to him, the meeting provided an opportunity to present the concerns of Nigerians, particularly the poor and vulnerable, to the President.
Fr. Idoko said Cardinal Onaiyekan was essentially re-echoing concerns already expressed by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).
“All he did was to re-echo the voice of the CBCN. They only used the opportunity they had to express the voice of the masses of this country.”
He maintained that the hardship being experienced by Nigerians is a reality that requires urgent attention.
Youths Urged to Uphold Christian Identity
The National Youth Animator further encouraged Catholic youths to remain conscious of their spiritual responsibilities despite the pressures and distractions of contemporary society.
He urged them to remain grounded in the teachings of Christ and allow their faith to influence their decisions, relationships and contributions to society.
As part of the intellectual activities, Fr. Idoko also led a session on “Magnifica Humanitas,” focusing on the dignity, value and responsibility of the human person.
The session challenged participants to recognize the worth of every human being and demonstrate their Christian faith through respect for human dignity, compassion, responsibility and service.
Fr. Shaba: Discover Yourself and Model Your Life After Christ
The Minna Diocesan CYON Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Reuben Shaba, also challenged the youths to emulate the courage of Christ and refuse to be overwhelmed by worldly pressures and distractions.
Reflecting on the theme of the Youth Week, Fr. Shaba emphasized the importance of self-discovery and authentic Christian identity.
“The first is to discover yourself,”
he said, encouraging the youths to build their identity around Christ and live authentic lives rooted in faith.
He cautioned the young people against confusing Christian courage with false or misplaced forms of courage, stressing that true Christian courage must be rooted in Christ.
CYON President Reaffirms Commitment to Church
Earlier, the President of CYON Minna Diocese, Anthony Chinonso Olisa, said the annual Youth Week was organized to strengthen healthy interaction, unity and connections among Catholic youths in the diocese.
Olisa reaffirmed his commitment to the Catholic Church and encouraged young people to deepen their participation in the life and activities of the Church.
Youths Discuss Politics, Security and Gender-Based Violence
The Youth Week also featured discussions on topical issues, including politics, gender-based violence and security.
The sessions provided opportunities for participants to examine challenges affecting their communities and reflect on their responsibilities as Christians and citizens.
Sporting and social activities were also held during the five-day programme, providing opportunities for fellowship, healthy interaction and strengthening of bonds among the participants.
The 2026 Minna Diocesan Youth Week consequently served as a platform for spiritual renewal, intellectual development, social interaction and Christian fellowship, with participants challenged to live courageously as followers of Christ and true ambassadors of the Church.
The event ended with a renewed call for Catholic youths to embrace the message of the theme: “Take Courage, I Have Overcome the World.”
