Interview: Nathaniel Godwin Ogugua
CONN/220405
The New National President of the Anglican Youth Fellowship (Nigeria) is in upbeat mood as he assumes the leadership of the youth ministry in Nigeria.
At 50, Nathaniel has been a member of the AYF since age 12. He has served as the 3rd National Vice President of the Fellowship and the zonal leader in the Northern part of Nigeria. He was Diocese of Minna Youth President for six years.
His long years of leadership taught him that youths have the fervour to ignite revival in the church.
But the revival is being short-changed by the influx of social activities in youth fellowships.
Now, he believes it is time to bring back the message of the gospel to the Nigerian youth.
Falling standards
In an interview with Church of Nigeria News (CONN), he expressed concern over the falling standard of youth fellowships in the Church.
According to him the concern for social activities in the church is taking preeminence rather than spiritual matters.
Something urgent must be done to ensure that the youth ministry particularly in the Anglican Church is not corrupted by emphasis on the mundane.
The AYF (Nigeria) was founded in 1947 by Archbishop Gordon Vinning, then the Bishop of Lagos and the Archbishop of West Africa.
The association caters for the welfare of young people in the church and encourages their participation in evangelism and Christian stewardship.
However, the Youth Leader is worried that the enhancement of these objectives is being hampered by many problems associated with the youths and the society at large.
Knowledge of Christ
Asked on how he intends to revive the youth group, he said the major thrust of his administration would be to bring young Anglicans to the knowledge of Christ and to ensure unity of the brethren.
Already a retreat and a leadership seminar has been held for all elected National officers of the fellowship and the President is optimistic that the mentoring will continue until the `mission is fulfilled. ’
There are about 17.5 million Anglicans in Nigeria and the youths constitute over 60 per cent of this number.
Every year a National Bible Study conference is organized under the auspices of the Anglican Youth Fellowship with a sole aim of raising knowledgeable Christians.
Mr. Nathaniel argues that the Bible Conference as it is has become a rendezvous of a sort where the interest on merchandize and selling of wares is taking the shine out of the conference.
`` This has to stop in Owerri 2005. We must effect changes in our National Bible study programme. It must be bible based and bible
teaching centered.’’ The theme for this year is ``God Go with Us’’.
Young people and the future of the church
On issues concerning the National church, the Youth leader is excited on the election of more young clergy- those below the age of 40- into the House of Bishops.
``The AYF is a training ground for young Anglicans who intend to join the fully ordained ministry. We are happy that even in the House of Bishops we have those who benefited from this youth ministry.
The vision of the Church of Nigeria to double its 17-million population by 2007 would be very much supported by the youths.
``However we want to advise the church to look inward and ensure that more quality workers are recruited to manage the massive church planting being undertaken at diocesan and parish levels.’’
Mr. Nathaniel is among the six delegates of the Church of Nigeria to the forthcoming South-South encounter scheduled for Egypt. The encounter is expected to play a major role in shaping deliberations at the 2008 Lambeth Conference.
