Youths have been charged to abhor crime and be in the vanguard of fighting social vices.
The Dean of St. Cyril’s Denary, Ahiazu, Ahiara Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Ted Uwakwe gave the charge during the celebration of 2012 Youths Cultural Day at the Trinity Catholic Church, Ogbe Ahiara.
He said the day was set aside to remind the youths on the need to value and promote the Igbo culture.
Fr. Uwakwe urged them to shun cultism, prostitution, gangsterism, illicit drugs, ritual killing, armed robbery, kidnapping and hostage taking.
The Dean advised them to cultivate good reading culture and be serious with their studies to attain noble heights.
On homosexualism, ponographic films and late night browsing, he warned them to be cautious of friends they make on social media networks, pointing that that unsuspecting victims having fallen prey to fraudsters even as some have lost their lives or being maimed in a relationship.
The clergy called on parents to monitor their children and friends they keep toward them off from bad peer group influence.
He lauded the Cultural Day awardees for their immense contributions to the church and humanity, especially the youths and urged them not to relent.
Speaking, the Catholic Youths Denary President, Mr. Joseph Ukanwa said the event reminds young ones of challenges facing them both in the church and society at large, describing the just concluded youths week as a monumental soul searching spiritual renewal exercise.
He stated that enlightenment campaign has been organised for the youths just as plans were on to train the less privilege ones in skill acquisition such as plumbing, building, welding and fabrication, carpentry, furniture making, hair dressing, mechanics and computer science to reduce poverty and minimize violence and restivenens.
He appreciated the Diocesesian Administrator, Msgr. Theo Nwalo and the Dean, Fr. Uwakwe for encouragement and fatherly advice and thanked The awardees, especially, Chief John Osuagwu for donating trophy for the competition as well offering training for five youth in professional driving.
Responding on behalf of the thirteen award recipients, the Chairman Ahiazu Branch National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Chief John Osuagwu expressed gratitude for the honour done them and guaranteed commitment to continue working hard in the Lord’s vineyard for the upliftment of the church and mankind.
Other awardees include Representative Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Federal Constituency – Hon. Nnanna Igbokwe, Imo State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development – Hon. Charles Onuoha, Parish Council Chairman Holy Trinity Catholic Church Ogbe Ahiara – Chief Celestine Ejerenwa, Ahiazu Mbaise Chairman All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) – Chief Cletus Onwuegbule, Chief Leo Okoro, Bar. Chidi Ojinere, Arc. Kenneth Egejuru, Chief Jude Agulanna, Chief Celestine Ezeji, Mr. Colman Akagheobi, Ezinna. Tobias Nwigwe and Mr. Livinus Madu,
The occasion featured cultural dances – Abigbo, Agbarokwu, Agbacha Ekurunwa, Otigba, Igba Ndieze, etc.
All Saints Obodo Ahiara, St. Joseph Otulu Ahiara and Holy Ghost Umuevu Okrika-Nweke Catholic Parishes came 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively in the competition organized annually to promote culture and moral values among youths.
