The Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), Kwara State chapter, has empowered 100 widows with N50,000 cash each and also distributed N10,000 each to 100 youths in the state.

The YOWICAN Chairman in Kwara, Stephen Awoyale, disclosed this at the association’s Annual Youth Convention held on Sunday in Ilorin.

Mr Awoyale, who gave the theme for the event as “The light of the World,” said empowerment had been the usual practice of YOWICAN, which he said comes in phases.

He said that the goal of the year 2025 programme was to empower youths, and widows who were wives of late clergymen who laboured and served in the vineyard of Christ.

He stated, “Our empowerment is in phases. We are giving N50,000 cash each to 100 widows and also N10,000 cash each to 100 youths, across all 16 local government areas of the state. Before the end of this year, we will also carry out another phase of empowerment.

“At YOWICAN Kwara, our mandate is to empower youths to lead by shining their lights. I urged the youth to shine their light in character, in service, in innovation, in leadership, in faith, and in love. That is why we the youths across the 16 Local government areas of Kwara gathered here today to build ourselves.”

The chairman, who described the theme as timely, appreciated the sponsors of the programme, while praying that God would increase their blessings.

He added, “I want to specially thank our Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq  for always supporting the Christian youths. Every year, he gives us his maximum support and prayers: for this we are very grateful, our prayer is that the Lord Jesus will continue to uphold him. Our appreciation also goes to senator representing Kwara North, Umar Sodiq, for his kind gesture towards the success of the event.

The Guest Speaker, Olawuyi James, in his remarks, said the problem of darkness was not the darkness but the absence of light.

Mr James, who is also the Director of Youth and Student Ministries of the Nigeria Baptist Convention, said to shine as light was a divine command from Jesus Christ, which every youth must obey.

“You cannot claim to be Christ disciple if your light is not clearly seen by men around you,” he said.

The clergyman urged youths to arise and shine no matter how thick the darkness that surrounds them.

On his part, Moses Esan, in his message titled, “The Church as the beacon of light to the nation”, urged the church to be a moral compass and guiding light in the society.

Mr Esan charged youths to be the light in a world surrounded by darkness

“Stand out, be the light, don’t be shaken, don’t shift and always stand for truth,” he advised.

Also, Prof. Feyi Adepoju  urged the youth not to compromise their values nor neglect spiritual growth.

She also encouraged youths to stay aligned with God’s word and embrace discipline and growth.

“Purpose requires discipline, preparation and humility. Without discipline, gifts can destroy a person faster than failure,” she said.

Some of the beneficiaries said during an interview that the cash gift would go a long way to ease their financial challenges.

A beneficiary, Fadipe Adeola, appreciated YOWICAN for deeming it fit to empower widows.

Mrs Adeola said that widows were usually neglected and left to cater for themselves by society, saying it would help her start up a business for sustenance.

Another beneficiary, Chioma Ene, said, “I appreciate the governor, the senator  and YOWICAN for the kind gesture at this time.  It is a timely intervention.”

 (NAN)