Ondo Governor tasks church on youth development

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Sunday celebrated his Chief of Staff, Chief Olugbenga Ale, on his investiture as the President of the Boy's Brigade of Nigeria (BBN), Ondo State Council, for a second term. 

Governor Akeredolu, who is also the Chancellor of Owo Anglican Diocese, commended the Boy’s Brigade of Nigeria for living up to expectations. 

The Governor spoke at the event which was held at the Chapel of Annunciation Archbishop Vining College of Theology, Oke-Emeso, Akure, the state capital. 

While congratulating the newly inaugurated executive members and the new Patrons, Arakunrin Akeredolu said the BBN has important roles to play in societal development.

He used the occasion to call on the church to breed Pastors and other spirit-filled men of God who can inspire and give spiritual direction to youths engaging in all forms of criminal activities in the society. 

The Governor lamented the activities of cultists, cult groups and other criminals in the state, adding that the Church must be able to give spiritual direction to the youth and bring message of hope to them to ensure a crime free society.

He also challenged the state council of BBN to be gender sensitive and at the same time accommodate younger ones to join the system.

Earlier in his sermon, the Bishop of Owo Anglican Diocese, Rt. Revd. Stephen Fagbemi, congratulated the Patron of the BBN and Chancellor of Owo Anglican Diocese, Governor Akeredolu, for his efforts on the productive engagement of youth in the state through various programmes including ICT, Entrepreneurship and Agriculture. 

The event was attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu; Special Adviser to the Governor on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr. Dare Aragbaye, and other top government functionaries.