(Tangaza University College, 2002-02) Anene, Ambrose Onyekachukwu
"Knowing that you are young is enough for me to love youl" This is the
magic statement of St. John Bosco, which made me reflect on the situation of the
young people in the world today and in Nigeria in particular. Since I came in
contact with the Salesians in Nigeria in 1989, I have developed a great interest in
the affairs of young people. Between 1990 and 1991 I was working with youth in
schools, parishes, and youth centers as an aspirant to the Salesian congregation.
From 1992 when I started my pre-novitiate until 1998, I was actively involved in the
work of animation of youth groups, teaching in schools, organizing seminars,
working in the youth centers and parishes in three different cities, Akure, Ondo and
Onitsha
During these years I came in contact with different kinds of youth from
different ethnic groups, religious beliefs, and family backgrounds. Most of them
expressed the problems, miseries, misunderstandings and crises they encounter
as youth in Nigeria. From May to August 2001, during my holiday in Nigeria, I was able to meet
some youth from the cities of Enugu, Onitsha, Lagos, Ondo and Akure who shared
their ideas and problems with me. Through these contacts and my previous work, I
have been able to grasp more deeply their situation in Nigeria today.