From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
Christian youths have been challenged to move beyond church activities and take up leadership positions in governance, business, science, technology and other critical sectors of society without compromising their moral values.
The charge was given at the annual convention of the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), Kwara State Chapter, ANAG-KAZO 5.0, held in Ilorin with the theme, “Dominion.”
Chairman of YOWICAN in Kwara State, Evangelist Stephen Awoyale, said Christian youths must combine their spiritual commitments with hard work, integrity and active participation in nation-building.
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Awoyale, who delivered the opening address, described character as the greatest asset young Christians could possess, stressing that education, wealth, connections and popularity would amount to little without moral uprightness.
“Our greatest asset as Christian youths is not our education, connections, money, popularity or position. Our greatest asset is character. We do not want young people who can only pray; we want young people who can pray and also work,” he said.
He urged participants drawn from different parts of Kwara State to move beyond personal ambitions and position themselves for leadership in agriculture, politics, media, governance and science while upholding Christian values.
Similarly, the Kwara State CAN Secretary, Apostle Shina Ibiyemi, charged young Christians to take responsibility for the future of the Church and the transformation of Nigerian society.
“Your generation must not only inherit the Church; you must also take responsibility for its future and for the transformation of our society,” Ibiyemi said.
He encouraged the youths to deploy their talents, education and energy towards public service, truth and the advancement of society.
In his address titled “Walking in Dominion,” the Director of Youth Development for Kwara CAN, Reverend Father Ralph Ajewole, called on Christian youths to translate their faith into practical contributions across professional and leadership spaces.
He described the convention as an opportunity for participants to break out of their comfort zones and embrace responsibilities that would enable them to influence society positively.
“For too long, the concept of dominion has been treated as a theological abstraction. ANAG-KAZO 5.0 is the spiritual catalyst that compels you out of your comfort zones and into the boardrooms, pulpits and leadership corridors where your voice is desperately needed,” Ajewole said.
In his goodwill message, the Kwara State CAN Chairman, Right Reverend Sunday Adewole, said the theme, “Dominion,” was rooted in Genesis 1:28 and represented a divine mandate for responsible leadership and stewardship rather than passive survival.
According to him, exercising dominion requires Christians to move from spiritual potential to practical achievements by demonstrating godly values in their professions, families, ministries and public life.
“To walk in dominion is to step into the fullness of the authority Christ has purchased for us. It means moving beyond spiritual potential into practical manifestation; taking territory in prayer, expanding the Kingdom through radical soul-winning, mastering our callings and establishing God’s righteousness across every sphere of society,” Adewole said.
He identified divine blessing, reproductive multiplication, active subjugation of spiritual opposition and righteous stewardship as four pillars of Kingdom authority.
The convention featured word ministrations, choir presentations, empowerment sessions for delegates and an award presentation recognising prominent leaders and supporters in the state.
