Nigeria's Benin Archdiocese commended for National Youth Day preparations

The National Youth animator and secretary of the youth committee at the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Fr. Charles Ndubisi has commended the Archdiocese of Benin City for the preparations of the fourth National Youth Day celebration.  The celebration takes place in August, this year.  Fr. Ndubisi gave the commendation during an exclusive interview with Catholic News Service of Nigeria in Abuja.

Fr. Ndubisi said that a National Organising Committee (NOC) for the youth day was recently inaugurated.  This organising committee is made up of Catholic youth leaders from different parts of the country.

Addressing the members of the National Organising Committee, Fr Ndubisi urged the leaders to be committed to the success of the celebration.  He also asked them to mobilise youths from various groups to participate in the programme.  Members of the NOC also brainstormed strategies of making the festival more successful.

In his address to the members of the NOC, Fr Ndubisi reminded them that, “We must not forget that what makes people important is not the positions they occupy but heroic acts they undertake for the benefit of others.  The National Youth Day should be a festival that is celebrated by young Nigerians to showcase culture, talent and rich spiritual heritage.”

Fr. Ndubisi added that, “We must do everything possible to grow, making each National Youth Day better. Only the best is acceptable and we are resolved more than ever to struggle towards the best. We have our challenges but, we must overcome them working together as a team,” he said.

The inauguration of the National Organising Committee took place in Nigeria’s city state of Benin. Other responsibilities of the committee include arranging the Youth Festival evening, arranging places for catechesis, facilitating the parish experience and supporting the youth pilgrimage.

The theme of this year's Nigeria’s Youth day celebration is, ‘Blessed are the Merciful for they shall obtain Mercy.’

(Catholic News Service of Nigeria, ABUJA, Nigeria)