Vincent OBANIYI

 

The Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria (CYON), Catholic Diocese of Osogbo, hosted its highly anticipated Diocesan Competition on Saturday, 30th May 2026; bringing together vibrant and talented young Catholics from across the diocese in a spirit of healthy rivalry, intellectual growth, and faith formation. The competition generated remarkable excitement and enthusiasm among participants and spectators alike, featuring three key events: the Spelling Bee, the Quiz Competition, and the Best Figure of Faith Contest.

 

The Spelling Bee put the vocabulary and linguistic skills of young participants to the test, as contestants confidently stepped forward to spell words with precision and composure under friendly but competitive pressure. The Quiz Competition, on the other hand, proved to be a thrilling battle of knowledge and quick thinking, challenging participants on a wide range of subjects including faith, general knowledge, and current affairs. Meanwhile, the Best Figure of Faith Contest offered a deeply inspiring platform for young Catholics to celebrate and embody the lives of great saints and figures of faith, reminding the entire diocese of the rich spiritual heritage that guides and shapes the Catholic identity.

 

In an interview with Daniel Irabor, representing Ife Deanery in the Best Figure of Faith Contest, the young contestant did not hesitate for a moment when asked about his chosen figure of faith. His choice, St. Nicholas of Myra, the beloved 4th Century Bishop from the region known today as modern-day Turkey, reflects a maturity of thought that belies his age. "The standout attribute of St. Nicholas that I chose to portray is the act of giving, "philanthropy," Daniel explained.  "For you to give to such an extent that you became a saint in the Catholic Church means that giving is not something minor. It is something that carries great value. If you can give in service to humanity, I believe it goes a long way on your journey toward the righteous path, which is the path of Christ." Beyond St. Nicholas' legendary generosity, Daniel also highlighted the saint's courageous defence of the Christian faith during times of persecution. "To stand and defend the faith even in the face of death is something truly commendable," he noted, adding that the enduring impact of St. Nicholas' life of charity eventually inspired the beloved tradition of Santa Claus, the figure known today for bringing joy and gifts to children every Christmas season. When asked what message young people could draw from the life of St. Nicholas, Daniel's response was both simple and powerful. "St. Nicholas did not do extraordinary things before he became a saint. All he had to do was keep giving and never stop giving. He was deeply compassionate toward the poor, a defender of truth and justice, and I believe these are the very qualities every young person should aspire to cultivate in their own life."

 

Also interviewed during the competition was Oyewusi Theresa, representing Inisa Deanery, who spoke with great passion and conviction about her chosen figure of faith, Saint Carlo Acutis, the young Italian who captured the hearts of millions and was canonized by the Catholic Church. "What inspired me to choose this particular saint is that he was a young saint, born in 1991, so close to our own era," Theresa began. "His way of life encourages me that, as young as I am, and as young as we all are, we can be holy. We can truly live a holy life." She further highlighted one of the most remarkable aspects of Saint Carlo Acutis, his relationship with modern technology. "He was someone who understood technology, computers, and social media, but he did not allow any of it to serve as a distraction. Rather, he used it as a powerful tool to draw people closer to God," Theresa explained. "For many young people today, social media and technology have become sources of distraction. But Carlo Acutis chose differently, he used these very platforms to win more souls for Christ." Her message to fellow youth was clear and compelling. "Our takeaway is that we should emulate Saint Carlo Acutis in everything we do. Whether we are on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, we should use those platforms to proclaim the Word of God rather than joining the crowd in consuming ungodly content or engaging in the distractions of this world." Theresa concluded by reflecting on the deep Eucharistic devotion that defined Saint Carlo Acutis' short but extraordinary life. "Carlo Acutis had a profound love for the Holy Eucharist and made it the very centre of his life. He believed that the surest path to holiness is not found in extraordinary deeds alone, but in living a good, simple, and God-centred life every single day."

 

Also interviewed during the competition was Abolaji Oladosu, the Spelling Bee contestant representing Ede Deanery, who spoke candidly and with refreshing honesty about her experience at the ongoing CYON Diocesan Competition of the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo. Abolaji did not shy away from addressing a concern that affected her performance during the competition. "Of all the words that were given, I failed some of them, and the reason I failed was because the pronunciation was not clear," she stated openly. "I hope that in future competitions, this will be remedied. The fact that a word is difficult to study does not mean it should be pronounced unclearly. Words should be pronounced correctly and distinctly in the English language so that contestants are given a fair opportunity to spell them accurately." Despite the frustration, Abolaji revealed the one anchor that kept her going throughout the competition, her faith. "I just kept on saying, Holy Spirit, what do I do without you? Nothing," she said with a smile, reflecting the deep spiritual grounding that carried her through every challenging moment on stage. When asked what message she had for young people preparing for future competitions, Abolaji's response was a passionate call to greater participation and communal support. "People need to be less apathetic, you need to participate," she urged. "I think there should be more numbers. It really boosts morale when you look into the audience and see that people actually came to rally around you. More presence, more energy, more support — that is what our young people need."

 

Francis Adeniyi, also representing Inisa Deanery, opened up about his experience in the Quiz Competition, sharing both the challenges he encountered and the invaluable lessons he took away from the contest. Francis identified questions bordering on Bible history, Church history, and detailed Catholic teachings as the most challenging aspects of the competition. "These areas demanded not just surface-level knowledge but a deep and thorough understanding of our faith," he noted, acknowledging that such questions pushed him beyond his comfort zone and stretched his intellectual capacity in ways he did not anticipate. However, far from being discouraged, Francis expressed that the competition served as a powerful catalyst for his personal and spiritual growth. "The competition helped me deepen my knowledge of the Catholic faith, especially in understanding the Bible, Church traditions, and doctrine," he shared. "It also expanded my general knowledge and motivated me to study more and grow both intellectually and spiritually."

 

Benjamin Itunu Olaoye, Vice President of CYON Catholic Diocese of Osogbo, standing in for the President in absentia, used his remarks to call on young people to remember Regina Babalola in prayer, particularly as the Novena to St. Charles Lwanga continues. He also expressed appreciation for the presence of Mr. Vincent Obaniyi, the Ibadan Provincial CYON Director of Social-Elect, who honoured the programme with his attendance, and further charged young people to remain active in their parishes and stay committed to the faith.

 

The Diocesan Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Lawrence Olaniyan, in his remarks, expressed appreciation to all officials present at the event, including Sr. Chibuzor Onyeananam DHS (Diocesan Sister Coordinator), Mr. Timothy Agbor, Sem. Philip Olaniyi, Mr. Francis Olaniyi (Ex-Officio), Miss Regina Adesiji, Mr. Max-Vincent Fakorede (Planning Committee Chairman), Mr. Tolu Faniku, and Sr. Ann Oloruntoba DHS. Fr. Olaniyan proceeded to announce the scores allocated to the various deaneries across the different segments of the competition before declaring the final results. Osogbo Deanery clinched first position, taking home a prize of ₦200,000. Ife Deanery came in second place with a prize of ₦150,000, while Inisa Deanery placed third, receiving ₦100,000. He expressed heartfelt appreciation to all sponsors of the programme and offered prayers on their behalf.

 

Mr. Francis Olaniyi, speaking on behalf of all the sponsors, delivered an encouraging and thought-provoking address that touched on the growth of the competition, the importance of youth engagement, and the sponsors' vision for the future. "It is a privilege to stand here on behalf of all the sponsors, and we thank the Lord for the opportunity to have this competition again this year," he began. "This is the second edition, and we have a strong belief that we are going to continue doing this. We are also hopeful that in the coming years, we will be able to increase the prize money beyond the current five hundred thousand naira." Mr. Olaniyi urged deaneries and parishes to invest intentionally in raising quality young people and to regard the competition as a platform to showcase talent, promote excellence, and build capacity. "Programmes like this push us forward and place us in a position where we are able to compete in the global space," he noted. "Let us not undermine the efforts of the organizers through poor preparation or a lack of seriousness in the quality of our participation." He also made a passionate appeal for university students to become more actively involved in the competition. "I would like to encourage university students to participate in this programme far more than we currently see. While our secondary school students are doing very well, I believe the competition will become even more enriching and competitive when young people of the same academic level engage with one another. It will also serve as an inspiration for secondary school students to aspire to that level of excellence, rather than falling into the unfortunate trend where, once a young person enters university, they forget they are still youth members of the Church and disengage completely."

Reflecting on the origin of the sponsorship initiative, Mr. Olaniyi revealed that it began as a simple act of goodwill among former active members of the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo. "This initiative started from a small group of friends who came together and said, 'We can do something.' Whether it was fifty thousand, twenty thousand, thirty thousand, or five thousand naira, every contribution counted, and this is how the prize money was raised. There is no fixed framework, and anyone who wishes to join and support is very welcome to do so." Mr. Olaniyi concluded his remarks by congratulating Osogbo Deanery for clinching first position for the second consecutive year, commending all deaneries that placed in various positions, and making a special appeal to the executive body to ensure that every deanery regardless of their final standing is duly recognized and appreciated for their participation and efforts. The prize structure for the competition was confirmed as follows: first position receives ₦200,000; second position receives ₦150,000; third position receives ₦100,000; with additional consolatory prizes of ₦50,000 also available. "We are grateful for this privilege and we ask that you continue to support, sustain, and embrace this initiative. Together, we can do even more for the glory of God and the growth of our Catholic youth," he said in closing.