“We are emphasizing integrity and ensuring that Catholic youth only post things that are meaningful and edifying. We want to create a culture where young people use social media responsibly and as a means of spreading love and service,” he stated.
Fr. Idoko encouraged the participants of the SOUL program to become ambassadors of change, urging them not only to adopt these values in their personal lives but also to influence others.
“I sincerely pray that the impact of this training will not only be seen in their lives but will spread to their communities. We are sending them forth as ambassadors of love, service, and compassion. They must sustain the fire of change they have caught here and ensure that it spreads beyond this conference,” he said.
According to Fr. Idoko, the desired change can only come when young people take responsibility for their actions and make conscious efforts to replace the prevailing culture of selfishness and inhumanity with one of service and love.
“We are replacing a culture of death and moral decay with a culture of love and service. This is the mission of SOUL, and it is a revolution that must continue,” Fr. Idoko told ACI Africa.
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Meanwhile, the National President of the Nigerian Federation of Catholic Students (NFCS) has cautioned students at all levels to uphold the virtue of hard work and resist the temptation of seeking quick wealth.
Speaking in an interview with ACI Africa during the same event, Mr. Augustine Anthony Tobechukwu lamented that Nigeria’s struggling economy has led many young people to engage in harmful practices, including ritual killings and occultism, in pursuit of wealth.
“The devil does not give with both hands; there is always a price to pay. Many young people, especially students in higher institutions, have lost their lives or suffered severe consequences due to these dangerous practices. Instead, young people should embrace patience, hard work, and prayer. Creativity and persistence will lead to long-term success,” Mr. Tobechukwu stated.
He urged young people to avoid any activity that compromises their peace of mind, emphasizing that material gains acquired through dishonest means are temporary and ultimately destructive.
“When you make money through ritual killings, it may seem promising at first, but it leads to premature death. Many who have gone down this path never lived to enjoy their wealth. This should serve as a serious lesson to students and young people in our country,” he warned.
He added, “Peer pressure is a major challenge. Many young men are drawn into cyber fraud (popularly known as 'yahoo'), while young women turn to prostitution, commonly referred to as ‘hook-up.’ Low self-esteem is also a serious problem, as some individuals feel inadequate and make poor decisions to gain societal validation.”
To address these challenges, Tobechukwu advocated for sensitization programs that educate young people on self-worth, patience, and ethical living.
“We need to emphasize that everyone’s journey is different. There is no need to rush. Believing in oneself and staying consistent in prayer can help young people resist negative influences. Loving one another as we love ourselves will help curb the negative trends in society,” he said.
Mr. Tobechukwu described the SOUL program as an enlightening experience that reinforced the importance of love for one's neighbor. He expressed his commitment to spreading the knowledge gained at the conference through seminars and workshops within his community.
“The program has been very engaging and eye-opening. I plan to organize seminars and workshops to pass down the message of love and unity. Before religion, there was humanity, and if we truly love ourselves, many of the problems we face today will be significantly reduced,” he said.
Also speaking to ACI Africa during the April 2 event, Ms. Edomobi Maria-Consulata Chinasa, the National Coordinator of Young Catholic Students of Nigeria (YCSN) from the Catholic Diocese of Aba, underscored the importance of empathy and compassion.
“One of the topics that struck me the most was empathy and compassion. I have learned that I can be an agent of compassion by putting myself in others’ shoes and offering kind words that could make a difference in someone’s life,” she said.
Abah Anthony John is a Nigerian Journalist with great enthusiasm and interest for Catholic Church Communication and Media Apostolate. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria. He has vast experience in Print, Electronic and Multi-Media Production.
