AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY OGBUKA UCHE, Ph.D, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE YOUTH WING OF CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (YOWICAN) ABIA STATE CHAPTER, ON THE COMMEMERATION OF THE 2023 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY CELEBRATION,DATED 12TH AUGUST 2023 AT EVANGELICAL CHURCH WINNING ALL, 39 OBOWO STREET, UMUAHIA.

THE EXCUTIVE GOVERNOR OF ABIA STATE, DR.ALEX CHIOMA OTTI, OFR.
THE ABIA STATE EXCUTIVE COUNCIL
THE COMMISSER OF YOUTH AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT,
THE ABIA STATE CAN CHAIRMAN, REV OJO OJO UDUMA,
THE CAN STATE EXCUTIVES,
THE BLOC LEADERS,
THE FATHERS OF FAITH,
THE WOWICAN,
THE YOUTHFUL YOUTHS OF ABIA STATE,
THE MEMBERS OF PRESS,
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

May I unbehalf of the entire Executive council and members of the YOWICAN, Abia State chapter, make welcome our invited revered guests to this very auspicious occasion. We particularly thank the responsive Governor of Abia State, His Excellency Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR and members of State Executive Council here present. Today’s occasion affords us ample opportunity to extend our undiluted appreciation to the entire members of the body of Christ across denominations, especially the youth. You are very highly welcome, again.

We have gathered simply because of the strategic importance of the youthful population which is celebrated today, the world over. In commemorating the 2023 International Youth Day Celebration, the YOWICAN in Abia State considers as rightly germane the theme of this year’s celebration: GREEN SKILLS FOR YOUTH: TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE WORLD, which aligns with the vision we have consistently pursued over time. Through advocacy campaigns and direct sensitisation we have made skills acquisition a cardinal priority objective among the Nigerian youth especially here in Abia State.

Our initiative of “One Youth, One Skill” is a design formulated to help tackle the ever increasing spate of youth unemployment. Criminality among the youth is a direct function of youth unemployment. Hence, we consider providing green skills for the youth as a necessary measure for a sustainable world. We remain resolute in using the platform of the YOWICAN to provide a friendly environment for our young people to thrive and succeed.

We are proud to inform you that our activities at the YOWICAN have yielded the desired benefits, even as we seek your encouragement to do more. One thing is sure; we are not stopping untill the job is done. Through the help of God and your benevolence we have been able to:
~ Bring together and host the Youth Presidents of all christian denominations in Abia state.
~ We have maintained peaceful co-existence and inter-dependence among Abia youth in the christendom.
~ We run a scholarship scheme for indigent Abia youths and today, we have 50 of our young ones between the age of 9 – 17 who are on YOWICAN sponsored academic scholarship.
~ As a routine, we embark on hospital visitation and settlement of bills, especially for those who are trapped in the hospital for inability to pick up their bills.
~ We also have a counseling unit which the YOWICAN has used to properly guide and refocus our youths for meaningful and sustainable life.

As a Christian youth body, we are committed to doing much to complement the efforts of governments at various levels. We are limited by a few challenges. The Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria is using this occasion to appeal to His Excellency, the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, and the government of Abia State to come to our assistance to maximize our potential at YOWICAN.

~ We appeal to the Abia State government to graciously gazette YOWICAN and provide the body with subvention to facilitate our activities
~ The YOWICAN is in dire need of an Evangelical Bus/Official Car to enhance mobility.
~ We appeal to the State Government to carry YOWICAN along in Government Youth Empowerment Programmes, and in decision-making as it affects youths and Christianity.
~ We call on the Governor and Government of Abia State to kindly draft in YOWICAN and sponsor members on pilgrimage to Holy Land.
~ We are desirous of a Skill Acquisition Centre for YOWICAN where our sponsored students can acquire life-changing skills.
~ We plan to embark on Agricultural Activities where our members would be engaged meaningfully. We, therefore appeal for government allocation of land in that regard.
~ CAN in Abia State does not have a Secretariat, and we hope that the present administration in the State will come to our rescue.

To members of the general public, we will gratefully welcome philanthropic gestures of private individuals and corporate bodies who may wish to support us, one or the other, in tackling some of our setbacks.

Ladies and gentlemen, may I welcome you once again to the 2023 commemoration of the International Youth Day celebration as organized and put together here in Umuahia by YOWICAN.

Thank you and God bless you!
AP. OGBUKA UCHE Ph.D
12TH AUGUST, 2023.

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