Perpetual Ayomide ADETUNJI

 

The inauguration of the newly elected IBCYON executives was held on Sunday, 18th January 2026, at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church, Mokola, under the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan. The event marked a significant moment in the life of the Ibadan Catholic Youth Organization, as a new set of leaders was officially installed to govern its affairs and promote growth across the Archdiocese.

 

The ceremony was officiated by His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin, Archbishop of Ibadan, alongside the Youth Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Eseola. Also present were the Councilors of the Archdiocese. The atmosphere of the occasion was spiritually uplifting, filled with joy, prayers, thanksgiving, and words of exhortation.

 

The newly sworn-in executives were charged to lead with humility, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the teachings of the Catholic Church. In his address, the Archbishop emphasized the values of selfless service, unity, and responsible leadership, reminding the executives that leadership in the Church is a call to serve and not to be served.

 

He further urged the youths to avoid tribalism in order to uphold unity and foster progress within the Church, stressing that division weakens the body of Christ. He emphasized that the Church is one family, bonded by love and mutual respect regardless of tribe or ethnicity.

According to His Grace, unity among the youth will open more opportunities for the Church as a whole. To illustrate this, the Archbishop cited instances where youths submit their CVs and certificates to him in search of Job opportunities, noting that there is often little he could personally do in such situations. He explained that if the youths are united among themselves and also bonded with the elderly, more opportunities would emerge, and graduates would not be stranded in search of jobs after completing their education.

 

Furthermore, the Archbishop encouraged the youths to be fully active in the Catholic Women Organization (CWO), Parents and Youth Forum, noting that these platforms help strengthen the bond between parents and youths. He explained that when parents take an interest in a youth, they can decide to mentor, groom, and support such individuals until they are well positioned and able to stand on their own. He added that this approach would prevent lapses and retrogression in the Church and ensure sustained growth and continuity.

 

The newly inaugurated executives are: Obinna Sylvester Chibuzor – President; Ayankoso Bola Janet – Vice President I; Umezurike Esther Miracle – Vice President II; Adetunji Ayomide Perpetua – General Secretary; Ogundare Augustine Adeleke – Public Relations Officer; Afolayan Oluwafunmilayo Maria – Welfare Officer; Njoku Gift Onyinyechi – Director of Socials I and Ige Ayomide George – Director of Socials II

 

 

Lastly, the Councilors of the Archdioceses and the youth were encouraged to support the new leadership through cooperation, prayer, and active participation in all programmes organized at the Archdiocesan, Parish, and Deanery levels. The event concluded with thanksgiving and prayers, invoking divine guidance, wisdom, and strength for the executives as they commenced their tenure, with collective hopes for a productive, impactful, and grace-filled administration.