By Danjuma Auta
A Non-Governmental Organization, the Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN), has honored the ECWA President, Rev. Dr. Stephen Panya Baba, with an award as its patron.
In a ceremony to hand over the letter of appointment, the YAN President, Rt. Hon. Usman Saidu, disclosed that it was after wide consultations that Rev. Baba was picked for the award – which is its highest, meant for distinguished individuals in the country.
He described the ECWA President as a mentor of the Nigerian youth who was in the forefront of preaching and promoting social justice, adding that he deserved support and encouragement by both Muslims and Christian youth in the country.
He noted that ECWA had greatly contributed to nation building in the areas of education, rural development, health care delivery and human development.
Hon. Saidu explained that the delegates were at the ECWA headquarters to also intimate Rev. Baba of the activities of the assembly and identify with his dynamic principles.He disclosed that the Youth Assembly of Nigeria was an initiative of Nigerian youth from the six geo-political zones which was formed in 2011 in Abuja aimed at fostering peace and peaceful coexistence among the youth.Responding, the ECWA President, Rev. Dr. Stephen Panya Baba, thanked the delegation for identifying with the church, adding that ECWA placed a high premium on the youth as they were the future of the church.He frowned against youth involvement in armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry and thuggery, among others, and called on the assembly to intensify efforts towards driving the message of change and transformation among the youth.He urged the leadership of the body to prevail on its members to serve as good ambassadors of Christ who is the Prince of Peace and continue working towards the unity of Nigeria.