From Tuesday, August 5th to Saturday, August 9th, 2025, the Catholic Diocese of Oyo was set aglow as more than 750 young Catholics gathered for the much-anticipated Oyo Diocesan Youth Rally. 

Hosted by the Iseyin Zone at St. Thomas Moore Catholic College, Iseyin, the event was a five-day celebration of faith, friendship, and fierce but friendly competition, held under the powerful theme: “You also are my witnesses because you have been with me- Jn 15:27”. The excitement was tangible from the very first day. Parish buses and vans rolled into Iseyin, carrying delegations from every corner of the Diocese. Some groups arrived singing and drumming, others waving flags and banners — all radiating anticipation for a week of prayer, play, and unforgettable memories.

The rally began officially on Wednesday, August 6th, with a vibrant Opening Ceremony. Youths marched proudly in colorful uniforms and T-shirts, representing their zones with chants and cheers. This lively display flew into the Opening Mass, celebrated by the Vicar General, Very Rev. Fr. Boniface Wuraola. 

In his homily, Fr. Wuraola spoke with fatherly warmth, urging the young people to be bold in living out their faith. “You are called not just to know Christ, but to witness Him in the way you speak, act, and relate with others,” he said. Though grounded in prayer and reflection, the rally’s heartbeat was on the playing fields. The school grounds turned into arenas of passion and unity as zones battled it out in football, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, scrabble, ayo - olopon, and track events.

The games were intense, yet filled with joy. Penalties kept football fans on edge; volleyball matches stretched point-for-point under the hot sun; scrabble duels turned into battles of wit; while the traditional ayo - olopon drew nostalgic cheers. Victories sparked loud choruses of songs, while defeats ended in laughter and handshakes — proof that true sportsmanship had the final word. Many participants spoke of making new friends across parishes, showing that the games built more than just medal tables — they built bridges.

By the close of competitions, Iganna Zone topped the medals chart with 4 gold medals, while Awe, Oyo and Otu-Okeho followed closely behind with 3 gold medals each. Saki, Iseyin, Ijio and Ogbomoso also earned spots, though Kisi left without medals. Yet, beyond the numbers, every medal carried its own story — of early morning training, last-minute goals, narrow wins, and lessons learned in defeat. 

A cherished highlight was the pastoral presence of Most Rev. Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, Bishop of Oyo Diocese. He mingled freely with the youths, sharing laughter, snapping photos, offering encouragement and re-echoed his message to them in which he urged them to be 'exemplary youths and also be gracious in victory'. 

On Saturday, August 9th, the rally drew to a close with a heartfelt Mass celebrated by Rev. Fr. Martin Badejo. His words were both of praise and challenge: “What you have shown here — teamwork, perseverance, joy, and prayer — must not end with this rally. Let it be part of who you are every day.” As the final hymn rose, youths exchanged contacts, posed for group photos, and promised to keep alive the friendships and memories forged in Iseyin.

The 2025 Oyo Diocesan Youth Rally was far more than a sports festival. It was a spiritual encounter, a cultural celebration, and a family reunion of faith. From the first whistle to the last Amen, one truth rang clear: the young Catholics of Oyo are ready to rise as joyful, courageous witnesses of Christ in today’s world.