Vincent OBANIYI

Catholic students from across the Diocese of Oyo converged in Ogbomoso for the 2025 NFCS Diocesan Convention, themed “Hope in Our Hands: Youth Restoring the Broken” (Isaiah 58:12). The annual gathering aimed to strengthen the faith, unity, and moral values of young Catholics.

The event took a reflective turn following the announcement of the passing of Bishop Emeritus Julius Babatunde Adelakun, the first Bishop of Oyo Diocese. In his honour, all convention activities were dedicated to his blessed memory. A candlelight procession was later held to celebrate his life of service and faith. The Diocesan Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Patrick Eyitayo Adewuyi, urged participants to rejoice rather than mourn, saying, “He has fought the good fight of faith and is now in a greater place.”

The convention featured a rich blend of spiritual exercises, sportsmanship, and intellectual engagement, reflecting the NFCS’s commitment to holistic youth formation. Sporting events fostered unity and teamwork, with the NFCS Oyo Diocese Female Team facing the LAUTECH Female Volleyball Team, alongside NFCS Unilorin from Ilorin Diocese. Every serve and spike echoed the values of friendship, joy, and love in Christ.

A major highlight of the convention was the inspirational lecture delivered by Rev. Fr. Peter Adeyemi, who challenged Catholic youths to “change the world by first changing themselves.”

Held at Maryland Grammar School, Ogbomoso, the convention venue, his address described the gathering as representing “the future of the Church in Nigeria.” He emphasized that true hope must be rooted in God, not in materialism or worldly ambitions.

According to him, “Hope speaks of attainable goals, trust, and challenges in the future. It involves expectation, optimism, and resilience.” He reminded the youths that God has entrusted them with the mission of rebuilding broken systems and restoring faith in society.

Expressing concern over the despair among Nigerian youths caused by poverty, unemployment, and corruption, Fr. Adeyemi encouraged NFCS members to remain “flickers of hope for a brighter tomorrow.” Quoting Socrates, he said, “Let he who will move the world first move himself.” He also urged the young people to cultivate discipline, moral strength, and integrity, emphasizing that “true restoration begins with self-renewal.”

Citing Pope Francis’ Christus Vivit (no. 299), he reminded the participants that “the Church needs the energy, creativity, and faith of young people to transform the world.”

After the lecture, Olagunju Rita summarized the message, while Rev. Fr. Patrick Eyitayo Adewuyi thanked Fr. Adeyemi for the enlightening session and appreciated the distribution of lecture booklets to all participants.

The Quiz Competition, conducted by Rev. Sr. Mary Assumpta Taiwo, Director of Religious Education, added an intellectual touch to the event. It was a lively display of knowledge, confidence, and teamwork among various institutions.

Results: 1st Place – SACC (30 points); 2nd Place – TOPS (25 points); 3rd Place – LAUTECH Ogbomoso (20 points); 4th Place – FSS (17.5 points); 5th Place – LAUTECH Iseyin (15 points) and 6th Place – SPED (5 points)

All participants were celebrated for their enthusiasm and brilliance, reflecting the NFCS spirit of excellence and unity.

The convention climaxed with a Spirit-filled Closing Mass and Confirmation Ceremony at St. Thomas More Catholic Chaplaincy, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, presided over by the Chief Shepherd of the Diocese, Most Rev. Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo.

In his homily, Bishop Badejo commended the NFCS and the newly confirmed members for their faith and dedication. Drawing from the Gospel of Luke, he encouraged them to continually seek the Holy Spirit, reminding them that “he who asks shall receive, and he who knocks, the door shall be opened.”

He also cautioned against attributing personal failures to evil spirits, urging the faithful to take responsibility for their lives. Bishop Badejo called on young people to emulate the late Bishop Adelakun’s virtues of humility, faith, and service. “The Catholic Church is a Church of stories,” he said. “What story are you telling with your life?”

He reminded the congregation that the true reception of the Holy Spirit brings peace and inner renewal, not mere outward emotion. Declaring the newly confirmed as “agents and ambassadors of Christ,” he charged them to “conquer the tech world” by using social media and digital tools to spread goodness and faith.

In his closing remarks, Rev. Fr. Patrick Eyitayo Adewuyi expressed profound gratitude to Most Rev. Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, NFCS executives, chaplains, and all who contributed to the convention’s success. He prayed for the happy repose of Bishop Emeritus Julius Babatunde Adelakun and encouraged members to continue being bearers of hope and light.

A notable highlight of the event was the unveiling of Happening Times, the first-ever newsletter of the NFCS LAUTECH Chapter, unveiled by Bishop Badejo, who praised the students’ creativity and urged them to sustain the publication as a tool for evangelization and youth engagement.

Reflecting on the experience, Oyekunle Francis, one of the newly confirmed, shared:

“I feel happy and relieved. It’s the best moment of my life as a Catholic. I’ll live out my confirmation by using my talents wisely for God and the Church.”

Similarly, Victor Ojo from TOPS Chapter noted:

“Hope is a positive, future-oriented state of mind. This convention has inspired me to let hope guide my actions and help others stay focused. Spiritually, I’ve grown stronger and more determined to be an inspiration to my peers.”

The 2025 NFCS Oyo Diocesan Convention concluded with renewed enthusiasm among Catholic youths — ready to live their faith courageously, restore hope in their communities, and stand as true witnesses of Christ in today’s world.