Emmanuel Ikpeama
Isolo,Lagos —The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Isolo Local Branch,has decorated the Founder and General Overseer of Vineyard Christian Ministries, Archbishop John Adebayo Alagbala Osa-Oni, as one of its Spiritual Patrons.
The decoration was held penultimate Sunday at the church headquarters on Osolo Way, Isolo, Lagos. 
According to the Coordinator of NYCN Isolo, Comrade Damilola Kushimo, the honour is the first of its kind to be bestowed on any clergyman in Isolo.
He said it was in recognition of Archbishop Osa-Oni’s diligence in his spiritual assignment and his demonstrated commitment to youth development.
Addressing the congregation, Kushimo described the General Overseer as a man of divine calling whose journey in kingdom work is inspiring, noting that his love for the younger generation set him apart.
“What we’ve come to do today is to celebrate God’s grace in Daddy’s life. Over the years, we’ve observed how he has been a blessing to Isolo community and the world at large through his diligence in the discharge of his spiritual assignment and his commitment to the growth of young individuals,” Kushimo said.
“Recently, we were here to celebrate him on his 70th birthday, and the reception we received was remarkable. Today again, it is a great delight to be back here to honour our promise of officially decorating him as one of our Spiritual Patrons.”
He added that the Council wants the wider youth population in Isolo to benefit from the clergyman’s wealth of wisdom, experience and spiritual guidance.
“With this decoration, we trust that he will keep up with his spiritual and fatherly support for youth. We don’t want the youth of this church to be the only ones enjoying his spiritual blessings. We want the wider youth demography in Isolo to also benefit,” he added.
Kushimo also briefed the congregation on the activities of the youth body, highlighting programmes already executed by his administration and those in the pipeline.
He stressed that NYCN Isolo remains committed to building stronger partnerships with religious, traditional, political, professional and community stakeholders to advance the interests of young people in the LCDA.
He solicited Archbishop Osa-Oni’s continued prayers, spiritual support, fatherly counsel and guidance for the leadership and members of the Council.
In his response,Archbishop Osa-Oni thanked the youth leadership for the honour and for associating with the church.
He pledged his commitment to supporting NYCN Isolo in its youth-focused programmes and charged the leadership to remain focused on initiatives that promote discipline, responsible leadership, education, entrepreneurship and positive values.
The clergyman urged youths to remain connected to God, respect constituted authorities and avoid practices capable of jeopardising their future, while assuring the Council of his prayers and fatherly support.
