CLEANLINESS IS NEXT to godliness, so members of the Catholic Youth Organisation (CYON) of Ibadan archdiocese trooped out for the maiden edition of “Project Clean Oyo 2018” on 20 January.

The youth worked in collaboration with Environmental Protection Tribunal (EPT), Environment and Habitat Oyo State, Health Care from OLA Hospital, Oluyoro and Oyo State police Command.

They converged on Mapo Hall at 7am and started the clean-up exercise from there to Bere, Oje, Gate, stopped-over at NTA and ended the exercise at St Patrick’s, Basorun.

And they cleaned some of the streets of Ibadan; starting point was Mapo Hall.

The youth started the cleaning at 7am. Other places tidied up included Beere, Oje and Gate. They were assisted by The Police, officials of Waste Management Board, environment and water resources officers and medical personnel of Oluyoro Catholic Hospital.

Addressing the over 300 participants, Rev. Fr Michael Woods, youth chaplain, said the intention was to educate people on the need to maintain good environmental hygiene as cleanliness is next to godliness.

Fr Woods said the exercise was an example of selfless service and giving back to the society.

He said the archdiocesan youth had been handling social works at different levels but “this is the first time they are collaborating with the state.

He added that the young ones should be able to appreciate good things received from the society by performing their civic and cleric responsibilities wherever they are.

The social work, according to Fr Woods, would encourage and give them the opportunity of coming together regardless of creed, thus cherish humanitarian work.

CYON President Francis Ezeudu said he was happy that  the youth came out in large number to make the event a success.

Certificates were later given to all the participants (including non-Catholics) by Fr Woods and Fr Joseph Asunde at St Patrick’s Basorun.

There was a light refreshment after the exercise.

-MARGARET OBOGO & YETUNDE OLUMUYIWA