The Youth Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Ibadan warmly congratulates Happy Innocent Ezem, a committed Catholic youth, former President of the Ibadan Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria (IBCYON) and an ambassador of youth values, on his election as the 50th President of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Ibadan for 2027.

This is a remarkable achievement, not only for Happy, but also for the Catholic youth community and for all young people at large who believe that leadership is an opportunity to serve and make a meaningful difference in society.

JCI (Junior Chamber International) is a global network of young leaders present in more than 100 countries. It is known for developing young people through leadership training, entrepreneurship, international cooperation and community-impact projects. JCI encourages young people to move from having ideas to taking responsibility and creating measurable change in society. (Junior Chamber International)

Here in Ibadan, JCI provides an important platform for young people to develop leadership capacity, build professional networks, engage in community development and connect with opportunities beyond Nigeria. Its programmes include leadership development, entrepreneurship initiatives, mentorship, community projects and platforms such as the Sina Adegunle Business Summit, which supports young entrepreneurs through funding, mentorship and capacity development. (JCI Ibadan).

It is therefore significant that a young Catholic who has served the Church at the highest level of our Archdiocesan youth organization is now being entrusted with leadership in wider civil society. This is the kind of engagement that the Church encourages among her young people.

The Second Vatican Council, in Apostolicam Actuositatem, teaches that the lay apostolate is not restricted to activities within the Church. Lay people are called to bring a Christian spirit into the “mentality, customs, laws, and structures” of society and to participate actively in the building and conduct of the temporal order. Young people are also encouraged to live out their Christian vocation in their professional and social lives. (Vatican)

This is an important message for every Catholic young person: We are not called to be Catholic only inside the Church. We are called to carry Christ into our professions, businesses, politics, civil society, academia, media, technology, public service and every sphere where society is being shaped.

Our young people must therefore go out—to join professional associations, build businesses, participate in public service and community development, take up leadership positions and bring the values of the Gospel into the places where decisions affecting society are made.

Happy’s journey from Catholic youth leadership to wider civic leadership is a beautiful example of this. We pray that, as he assumes this important responsibility, he will continue to uphold the values of service, integrity, responsibility, excellence and concern for the common good.

Dear Happy, congratulations once again! May your tenure as the 50th President of JCI Ibadan in 2027 be marked by visionary leadership, meaningful impact, innovation, collaboration and service to humanity. May your leadership empower other young people and demonstrate that young people can be both people of faith and agents of transformation in society.

On behalf of the Youth Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Ibadan, we are proud of you and wish you a successful and impactful tenure.

Congratulations, Mr Happy Innocent Ezem!

Signed by:

President

Obinna Sylvester.

CYON, Archdiocese of Ibadan