International Youth Centre: A safe space for the youths

Time has come, when we shall merge action with words!

A time when we shall preach less and act more! For action speaks louder than words.

We don’t need more conferences, but more contracts.

What we need now is practice and not empty preaching, for practice makes perfect.

And as St. James rightly declares, “Faith without work is dead” (James 2:17).

All the unimplemented bills from government leaders and communiqués from Church leaders are equally dead!

August 12th was, indeed, a historical and unforgettable day, especially for the young people in the rural areas.

Youths from different parts of the states gathered at the International Youth Centre, at Maryland, Egoro Amede to celebrate their first International Youth Day. It was, indeed, a memorable day, a day the young people will live to remember.

Incidentally, the theme of this year’s International Youth Day is “Safe Space for the youths.”

The Director of Int’l Youth Empowerment and Rehabilitation Centre (IYERC), Rev. Fr. John Damian Adizie took it upon himself to celebrate the youths in rural areas.

He has actually created a conducive and safe space, where the young people can freely exhibit their gifts and talents without any constraint.

International Youth Centre is located at Egoro Amede, the outskirts of Ekpoma in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

It is a multipurpose centre with a Missionary boarding school, an Orphanage home, a Mental Rehabilitation Centre, with other youth empowerment initiatives.
This centre was established for the liberation, rehabilitation and empowerment of youths across the world.

The event started with an opening Mass with prayer intentions for t youths all over the world.

In his homily, the founder of IYERC, Rev. Fr. John Damian, encouraged youths to start doing for themselves what the government could not do for them: “If the government fails to celebrate you, you should celebrate yourselves.

If government fails to empower you, start empowering yourselves – for heaven help those who help themselves!”

The essence of this gathering, according to him, was to create a safe space, where the youths can actualise their potential.

The social event kicked off with keynote address presented by different participants in most of the various languages across the nation; followed by a debate between the Young Seminarians and Young Sisters.

The theme of the debate is: SAFE SPACE FOR THE YOUTHS.

The young Sisters were able to defend the motion, which says “Young people need more Space in order to excel in life.”

The chief moderator of the Debate, Professor Mrs. Obaze of Ambrose Alli University, expressed satisfaction over the performance of the youths, especially during the debate competition.

After the debate, there was a table tennis competition between the young Seminarians and a youth at the Int’l youth centre, followed by Volley Ball between Edo youths and IYERC youths.

The climax of the event was a football match between Edo youths and youths at the international Youth centre.

Finally, there was a presentation of prize and trophy to all the participants, including winners of the tournament.

This was followed by cultural dance and dance for all. The atmosphere was full of jubilation.

Most of the youths expressed joy and satisfaction.