Vincent OBANIYI

 

In a significant moment for the Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria (CYON), Catholic Diocese of Oyo, the newly elected Provincial Executive Officers who hail from the diocese were formally presented to the Bishop of the Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo.

The presentation took place at the Bishop's residence in the presence of the Diocesan Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Stephen Oguntoye; the Assistant Diocesan Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Alexander Onifade; and the Diocesan Sister Coordinator, Rev. Sr. Elizabeth.

 

Leading the delegation, Rev. Fr. Stephen Oguntoye formally introduced the newly elected officers to the Bishop. The officers presented included Mr. Oluwafemi John Oyeniran, elected as Provincial President; Mr. Vincent Obaniyi, elected as Provincial Director of Socials; and Miss Cecilia Olanrewaju, elected as Provincial Welfare Officer II.

 

The Bishop warmly welcomed the newly elected officers and congratulated them on the confidence reposed in them by the youth of the Province. He encouraged them to embrace their positions as an opportunity for selfless service, leadership, and commitment to the mission of the Church. His Lordship further charged the officers to be exemplary leaders, promoting unity, faith and active participation among young Catholics across the Province. He assured them of his prayers and continued support as they embark on their responsibilities, urging them to work diligently for the spiritual, social, and moral development of Catholic youths.

 

The newly elected officers expressed their gratitude to the Bishop for his fatherly guidance and blessing, reaffirming their commitment to serving the youth faithfully and contributing positively to the growth and progress of CYON within Ibadan Province.

In separate interviews conducted after the presentation, each of the newly elected officers shared their visions and plans for the Province.

 

Speaking with the new Provincial President, Mr. Oluwafemi John Oyeniran, who hails from St. Ferdinand Catholic Church, Ogbomoso, he described his vision as centred on transparency, inclusivity, and service. "My vision for CYON Ibadan Province is a very straightforward one. I want to lead a very clear, transparent, and inclusive tenure, one where I make sure everyone is carried along. No one must be left behind in this wonderful journey," he said.

He identified key priorities, including human capacity development, the digitalization of provincial operations, training youth on modern technological trends for Gospel propagation, and making CYON Ibadan Province a globally recognized brand. He also expressed his intention to build on the achievements of his predecessors and work in close collaboration with all members of his cabinet.

 

Addressing unity and participation among the six Arch/Dioceses of the Province, Oyeniran called on all youths to adopt a positive and forward-thinking mindset. "You don't have to be able to do everything; you can build your home, hold your forth, and man your post. If everyone can do this, we will have a great and enjoyable time and witness tremendous progress," he said. He also announced plans to develop a web application to connect all members across the Province and streamline provincial activities, expressing hope that other provinces would look to Ibadan as a model.

 

The newly elected Provincial Director of Socials, Mr. Vincent Obaniyi, from St. Paul Catholic Church, Itasa, outlined an ambitious agenda for youth engagement. He plans to introduce inter-diocese youth social gatherings, talent and cultural showcases, sports competitions, leadership and skills acquisition programmes, and digital engagement initiatives to connect young people across the Province. He also announced plans to establish official social media platforms to serve as channels for communication, evangelization, and the promotion of CYON activities.

 

"Social, recreational, and media-related activities are powerful tools for evangelization and youth formation," Obaniyi stated. "By sharing faith-based content, liturgical celebrations, youth testimonies, Church teachings, and CYON activities, we will positively influence young people and use social media as an instrument of evangelization. By combining faith with creativity and innovation, we can make CYON more visible, attractive, and impactful while remaining rooted in our Catholic values."

 

Miss Cecilia Olanrewaju, the new Provincial Welfare II Officer from St. Julius Catholic Church, Iseyin, described her priorities as ensuring that every member feels valued, supported, and included, regardless of their diocese, background, or level of participation. She plans to strengthen communication between the provincial welfare team and diocesan structures, promote a safe and welcoming environment during provincial activities, and give special attention to new members and those who may feel disconnected from the organization.

 

"Welfare is not just about providing assistance when problems arise; it is about creating an environment where every young person feels seen, heard, valued, and supported," she said. She also announced plans to develop welfare-oriented initiatives, including health awareness programmes, skills development opportunities, and mentorship activities, while fostering a culture of solidarity across the Province.