Over three thousand youths gathered at the weekend for the inaugural Youth Convention at the headquarters of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos, under the auspices of TB Joshua Foundation.
With the theme: “Legacy of purpose – investing in a life that outlives us”, the convention drew experts from different professions to educate and inspire the youths on laudable lifestyles and greater heights.
Declaring the convention open, SCOAN leader, Pastor Evelyn Joshua stated that youths are the future leaders and it’s too dangerous not to properly guide them on the right paths of life that would engender impactful and purposeful life in the society.
In an age where the youths are facing critical challenges including the miasma of distorted souls where the ethical, social and cultural foundations are being gradually destroyed, Pastor Evelyn Joshua admonished the youths to open their hearts for the transformative and impactful benefits of the convention in reshaping their lives for impactful and enviable life in the society.
Legacy of purpose, according to her, is an offshoot of the legacies of SCOAN’S founder, Prophet T B JOSHUA to “ensure that the leaders of tomorrow are properly grounded in morals, social, educational, careers and skills acquisition, to guide, encourage and be empowered to be better focused in life”. She also implored them to be closer to God and let His word be the standard of their lives.
The Director of TBJOSHUA Foundation, Sarah Joshua said the Foundation was established not only to preserve the life and time of the great man of God on earth but also to invigorate and rejuvenate his legacies for a better humanity. She also stated that 30 youth participants at the convention would be given scholarships and some will also be empowered in small and medium businesses.
Another speaker, Evangelist Ope Adeyeye, spoke glowingly on the theme, “Legacy of Purpose” and how it perfectly captured TB JOSHUA’s exemplary life, noting: “life on earth is meaningless without a purpose because it’s only a purposeful life that can invent in others that could outlive them.
The Convention featured music, dance, drama and lots of other captivating activities. It also featured an ex-cultist who shared his experience, the evils of wrong friendships, companionship, and associates which brought to the fore the illusions and delusions of over ambition, fame, power and living above our means and how God’s mercy saved him. His experience was a lesson for other youths to learn in earnest.
One of the highlights of the convention was the panel of discussants. It provided opportunities for questions and answers where the challenges of youths today were critically dissected and demystified. The forum provided a clear roadmap and guidance for the participants not to go astray in their journeys of life.
Moderated by Woye Olagbaju, a versatile Mining Engineer, it featured important successful professional such as Vimbai, an international media guru, Dr Oluwaseun, Human Resources giant, Moji Oguntoyinbo, a banker of repute, Professor Ade Ayodeji, an educationist, Barrister Deji Olabiwonnu, Ikeja NBA branch Secretary and Mrs Nneka Moses of Goge Africa fame.
The convention was electrifying for the participants who shared their different experiences.
For Nike Adeyemi, “it’s wonderful to be here. I enjoyed every bit of it. This kind of program should continue. I hope they would soon organise another one”.
“Every youth in Nigeria needs to go for this convention. It’s educative and very inspiring” said Kolawole Shojonwo.
For Ben Olamide, “this is an experience that cannot be forgotten. Very nourishing and enriching. Thank God for TB Joshua and SCOAN. We need more of it in Nigeria”.
In closing, the Convention Principal Organizer, Promise Joshua, expressed gratitude to SCOAN youths in Akure, Ghana and supporters across the world for the event. She expressed optimism on its impacts on the participants assuring them of greater things to come with the future youth convention by the SCOAN which she emphasised “has come to stay”.
SCOAN by this Convention, has made a strong statement that Nigerian youths must not be left in the vagaries and reckless life with the unhealthy social winds blowing across mankind in the world today like sheep without the shepherd. A stitch in time saves nine.
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