Our History
THE ORIGIN AND THE HISTORY OF THE A.Y.F. (NIG)
THE ORIGIN: AYF IN THE WEST
What is known today as the A.Y.F was a mustard seed planted in the mid 1940’s, the Canon Residentiary of the Cathedral Church of Church Lagos, the Rev. A. W. Howells accompanied the Bishop of Lagos, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Leslie Gordon Vining to England. There he was highly impressed by the activities of some Youth Movements. On his return to Nigeria, he initiated action on the formation of the Anglican Youth Fellowship. He inaugurated the first branch of the Anglican Youth Fellowship the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina Lagos with about twenty young people mostly young boys playing football in the church preemies on the 7th of May, 1947 on the pattern of the Anglican Young People’s Associated of England.
Although Rev. Canon A.W Howells initiated action on the formation of the Anglican Youth fellowship but the Leadership and the running of the organization at the initial stage was taken up personally by the Bishop of Lagos. His Grace, Dr. L.G. Vining who regarded the youth fellowship as his baby because of his special love for young people. He decided to do so as a means of preventing the exodus of young people from the Anglican Church.
The fellowship was initially known as the Cathedral Youth Fellowship, C.Y.F as it was restricted to the Cathedral Church of Christ (CCC) Marina the Mother Church of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, His Grace, Most Rev. LG. Vining having established the Fellowship directed the Rev’d Canon Adelakun W. Howells who was the Canon Residential of the Cathedral to organize a series of Programmes that can encourage the youth in the church. Among other things, Rev. Canon Howells organized Bible Study Session, Quiz Competitions, Picnics and Excursions for the Youths. (The strategies of fellowship worship, thought service and Recreation).
In September 1946, Bishop Vining summoned a meeting of the church of Christ. Other Priests in attendance were Canon Adelakun Williamson Howells who later became the first provost of the cathedral and Rev. Timothy Omotayo 0. Olufosoye who was the Cathedral Chaplain and later became the first Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of all Nigeria. at that meeting, Samuel Akpabot of Kings College entertained the meeting with musical instruments while Bala Miller of Church Missionary Society Grammar School was on hand to entertain them with trumpet. His Grace, Most Rev’d L.G. Vining attended the Lambeth conference and on his return to Nigeria, he called for unity among the various Youth Groups in the church and established one group known as cathedral Youth Fellowship (C.Y.F) which were meeting every Wednesday at the Bishop’s Court. The group later changed her name to Anglican Youth Fellowship.
In August, 1947, Rev’d Timothy Olufosoye was transferred to Holy Trinity Church, Ebute Ero and there he inducted a branch of the fellowship in the church, the second branch of Ero the A.Y.F. the branch was inaugurated on 4th December, 1949.
On 26th June, 1950, Rev. H.N Hunter who was Canon Williamson Howells Assistant at the Cathedral inaugurated another branch at All Saints Anglican Church, Montgomery Road Yaba Lagos where he has been transferred to as the Vicar. Through this means the fellowship gradually spread. Rev. H.N Hunter later helped the fellowship to spread when he became the Bishop of Lagos in 1955 (1955-1963) as he encouraged the fellowship to organize and host internal Programmes and conferences. In 1952, the Rev. A.W. Howells laid down the organizational structure of the fellowship. The central working committee was formed in 1952 with Bro. Albert Odipodo Rogers (Later Rev. Rogers) as the first and only chairman and he held office for one year 1952-1953 with Bro. Olutendu Odejimi (both deceased) as the Secretary.
In 1953, Bro. Felix Remi Soyeye of blessed Memory was appointed as the First National President and held office for 1953-1986 Bro. Lawson O. Igele Akhibe thirty three (33) years 19 was appointed the First National Secretary and held the office from 1953-1976. It should be noted that the Seven (7) Men Central Working Committee that was inaugurated in 7th May. 1952 under the chairmanship of Bro. Rogers drafted the Aims and Objectives the fellowship is still using today. When the committee completed its assignment, the aims and objectives became the fellowship constitution. The Bishop of Lagos, the Rt Rev. Saith Ivan Sewen Kale requested the then chancellor of Lagos, Hon Justice J.A Adefarasin to yet the constitution and having found it worthy, the constitution was approved in July, 1960. It was later reviewed in 1981, 1994, 2008 and recently in 2014.
It should be noted that the Central Working Committee was formed from the four (4) Diocesan Councils that were in existence then, namely: Lagos, Ibadan, Benin and Ondo. They, the CWC held, series of meetings during which Bro. Remi Soyoye and Bro. L.O. Akhibe held sway as National President and Protem National Secretary until 17th Sept, 1967 when the first set officers were elected, twelve in number among whom were Bro. Remi Soyoye as National President, Bro L.O.I Akiubi National Secretary, bro G.O Ajala 1″ National Vice President, Rev. J.O Olugasa from Ondo as 2nd National Vice President, Assistant National Secretary Mr. 1.0 Olaomi from Ibadan, Mr. Bola Ogundpe – Financial Secretary/Treasurer; Mr. (Later Rev.) A.O Rogers from Lagos Publicity Secretary/Editor among others.
If should also be noted that between 1947-1968, the Lagos branch of the fellowship was performing the duty of the National Council of AYF by working hand in hand with the other existing branches of the AYF in the Country until 1967 when the National Council of the Anglican Youth Fellowship was inaugurated in Benin City on 16th February, 1970 with the Dioceses of Lagos, Ibadan, Ondo and Benin as members, other Dioceses subsequently joined as follows: Ekiti Diocese in 1971 at the National Council Meeting at Ibadan, Northern Diocese in 1971 the Dioceses in the Eastern Region (Enugu and on the Niger Dioceses) in 1972 after the Civil war through the instrumentality of A.O. Rogers (Later Rev. A.O Rogers) at the National Conference held at the University of Lagos.
The National Council of the A.Y.F (Nigeria) is a body comprising all the branches of the AYF in Nigeria. The representative to the council in persons from every Diocese of which a female must be among.
THE FELLOWSHIP IN THE EAST
The Anglican Youth Fellowship at inception flourished mostly in Lagos and the other western areas of Nigeria through the efforts of Rev. A.W. Howells and the Rev. (Later Most Rev. T.O. Olufosoye, the first Archbishop of Nigeria).
Which there were meetings and gatherings organized in the church for them and by the Anglican Church is the Eastern part of the Country, there was no known name by which it was called.
It was in 1952 that a motion was moved by Rev. W.R.G Wilet at the Diocesan Board meeting at Onitsha that some thing should be done urgently about organizing the Anglican Youth fellowship in the Eastern states.
After a formal debate, Rev. Willet was appointed. He then returned to Enugu to commence work on Youth organization.
The first meeting was held in Ezeoke town in Ehime Mbano, Imo State in the early 1953 and with this, efforts were set in motion to establish branches. The following branches were formed as follows:
ENUGU: St Bartholomew, St. Peters, Christ Church Uwani, St Lukes Ogui and Iva Vaccey.
PORTHARCOURT: St. Cyperian, St. Peters Elelewo.
ONITSHA: St Andrews Obosi, Ogidi, Awka
OWERRI: Christ Church; All Saint Egbu
ABIA: St. Michaels Aba
UMUAHIA: St. Stephens and St. Silas etc.
In 1956, a modified Youth Fellowship Leadership training was organized by the Christian Council of Nigeria. The fellowing were there as organizers:
- Rev. W.R.G Willet (Nigeria Representation).
- Mr. Whitnty (Canada)
- Miss Leonora (Pailippino)
- Mr. Macmillan (England)
- Miss Harnoon (Baptist American)
- Canon Timothy (NCC Secondary)
The following persons attended the leadership training
1. Rev. C. Mbonu
2. Rev. J.A Onyemelukwe
3. Mr. J. Nelo
4. Mr. S. Eze
In 1960, the Rev C. Mbonu took over from Rev. W.R.G. Williet as the Youth organizer when the later retired.
The fellowship made tremendous efforts and progress in the east as regular meetings and trainings were held and organized but the civil war of 1967-1970 and the crises that precipitated it in 1966 seriously affected the fellowship and her activities in the east. The fellowship finally joined the National Council in 1972 after the civil war.
NATIONAL BIBLE STUDY CONFERENCE
The National Conference started in 1954. The very first National Bible Study conference took place in 1954 at Methodist Boys High School Okesuna Lagos; the second conference took place between 1955-1956 at the Church Missionary Social Grammer School, Odunlami Street Lagos while the third conference was held at Baptist Academy Lagos in 1957. Lagos also hosted the 1958 conference and 1959 conference with the theme immorality with special reference to social laxity among the youths (Phil 4:8-9, 1 Cor. 5, 17-20) the conference was held outside Lagos for the first time in Benin Diocese. Benin City hosted the National conferences in 1971 with the theme “The Youth in the PRESENT Day Society”. The conference was held in Lagos in 1972 Akure hosted the 1973 edition.
The conference became rotational from 1972 among the first six Dioceses in Nigeria. In 1983 for the first time, the conference did not hold due to scarcity of fuel occasioned by the political instability. The same thing also happened in 1993 as the conference could not also be held due to the political crises in the country. This year, the fellowship is celebrating the 60th edition of the bible study conference and the 70th Anniversary of the founding of the fellowship.
It should also be noted that conventionally, Lagos hosts the conference every 10 years to celebrate the founding of the fellowship.
It should also be noted that the fellowship started to adopt the name Anglican Youth Fellowship (Nigeria) when Youths from other places started attending the conferences. The Anglican Young People of Ghana, participated in the 1977 edition of the conference while eleven youths from the Province of the United States of America attended the Annual Bible Study conference of 1986 hosted by the Diocese of Benin then at Government College Ughelli.
THE MOTTO OF AYF
The motto of the fellowship is TOWARDS THE PERFERCT MAN. See Ephesus 4:13a.
This implies that the fellowship must always ernulate the life of Christ, and be a model to others. This would be achieved through prayers and the reading of the bible.
THE EMBLEM OF AYF
The emblem is an open Bible, standing between a handshake and twigs joined together to form a letter “V” and all enclosed in a circle with a blue background.
The meaning of each of the elements of the emblem and the emblem itself as an entity is as follows:
a. The TWIGS: stands for YOUNG PEOPLE
b. The handshake: stand for fellowship and unity among young PEOPLE
c. The Bible: stands for the WORD OF GOD and the teaching of Jesus Christ.
d. The BLUE BACKGROUND: stands for and indicates perfect LOVE towards one another as Christian brethren.
e. The emblem in itself means that young people should live together in perfect love for one another according to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
The Emblem helps in identifying members of the youth fellowship particularly when in transit either in a vehicle or plane. It is a symbol of unity and oneness of all members in Christ Jesus.
It is important to note that while the males pin their emblems on the left hand side of their chest signifying the LOVE between the two just as married couples holding the right hands at marriage the man giving the left hand in holding the right hand of the wife.
THE AIMS AND THE OBJECTIVES OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL
a. To organize and co-ordinate inter-Diocesan Council activities.
b. To organize national and international conferences and conventions.
c. To handle all National publications
d. To arrange fellowships representations and affiliation to other National and International organization and bodies.
PUBLICATION OF MAGAZINE
In 1972, the fellowship decided to publish a magazine named “Towards leadership” to enhance the Christian behaviour of the reader both AYF members and non-members. Late Rev. A.Ο Rogers was the editor. In 1973 the magazine became more National in outlook. Ibadan also had a magazine named “MIRROR” which saw the light of the day in 1975, and Mr. G.O Oluyemi was the chairman of the Editorial Board.
AFFLIATION WITH OTHER NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION
In 1972 the AYF was affiliated to the National Council of Nigeria. There was an Annual subscription of N5.00 (Five Naira Only). It should be noted that the AYF constitution provides for affiliation. It is interesting to note that Mr. Oluwole Fasoduri, AYF member was the secretary of the National Youth Council while late Rev. A.O Rogers represented the AYF at the council. In 1984, the AYF associated with the Anglican Youth Peoples of Ghana which gave room for exchange visits. On the 10th October 1987 exchange visit was arranged and exchanged between Nigeria and Province of USA.
NATIONAL CONSITUTION
The first National constitution was approved in 1972 at Ibadan. The constitution was reviewed on 19th August, 1987. Another committee was set up at Owerri to review the constitution. Chief I .O. Oluomi the chairman was mandated to go round the various zones to ensure their views are obtained. Land was donated to the AYF by Kwara Diocese in Ilorin, hence the need to have a National Legal Adviser arose. While the National Council could not actualized the building of the Youth centre, ljebu Diocese laid a foundation stone laying on the 19 October and had a launching for a N1,000,000 (One Million Naira) for their Youth Centre.
GRAND PATRONS AND PATRONS
1. On the 24th April, 1971, the Rt. Rev. Agori-Iwe of Benin Diocese and the most senior Diocesan in Nigeria was installed the first Patron of AYF, Nigeria. He helped the AYF tremendously.
2. The Most Rev. T.O Olufosoye was installed the FIRST GRAND PATRON OF AYF on 24th November, 1984. The chairman of the occasion was Hon. Justice E.O. Fakayode, the then chief judge of Oyo State. The ceremony was carried out by daily times and all local dailies in Oyo on 24th January, 1985.
3. The Most Rev. J.A. Adetiloye was installed the SECOND GRAND PATRON at Omololu hall of St Peters Faji Lagos on 24th January, 1989. He named the AYF the Premier Youth Organization of Church of Nigeria and created provincial Department of Youth with Rev. Olu Oshewa as the chaplain-in-charge.
OTHER ACTIVITIES:
a. Brooches Badges was first ordered in 1971 with N1000.00 only and sold to members at (six kobo) per one.
b. Committee of chaplains comprising Rev. Akinduko, Rev. Olugasa all of Ondo, Rev. Sokefun of Lagos and Rev. Jaiyeola of Ibadan were asked to produce National Pledge and Prayer for the AYF at a meeting of AYF on 26 January, 1972.
c. AYF SUNDAY: 7th May every year or the immediate Sunday after May 7th was chosen as Youth Sunday and other youth activities as planned by the Diocese.
d. Motion for the proscription of all secret societies in the Federal Republic of Nigeria was moved on the 14″ August, 1977 at Government Secondary School, Owerri. Sequel to this, all members of Anglican Communion were asked to take open oath of not being a member or resign their membership. It is gratifying that our patrons supported this move hence such oaths are now taken at synod.
e. Fellowship ties: on the 14th August, 1977, the first set of fellowship ties were delivered to the AYF and it was sold at N3.00 each at Owerri.
f. In October, 1977, Scarves, Xmas cards and car stickers were approved for AYF at ljebu-Ode. The card was sold at N2.00 per one.
g. Church workers salaries and allowance was reviewed sequel to the memo to the Archbishop T.O. Olufosoye, Chief Olaomi and some church dignitaries, Ven Aderin, canon Ogundana and Rev. Oluwoyo, all now Bishops were members.
h. AYF NATIONAL ANTHEM – There is no evidence of any anthem but AYF favourite Hymn 55 and 474 serves the purpose.
i. AYF slogan of WEE-WAA in use since 1971 was changed on 24 November, 1984 at Ibadan meeting to “Fellowship-in-Christ”.
j. Mr. (Later) Ven D.O Jaiyeola wrote the history of AYF in 1971, later a committee to update the history comprising Rev. A.O. Rogers, late Bayo Afere and Rev. Olu Oshewa was set up on 17th August, 1978.
k. Communiqué after Diocesan and National Council k meeting were always published in the papers and radio. This helped our motion and steps the AYF took on such issues as Nigeria’s membership of Organization of Islamic Council at the extra-ordinary council meeting of 15 March, 1986 at All Saints Church Yaba, Lagos. in the year 1987 AYF press release on Kaduna religious riot on 12th March, 1987 was effectively carried by the radio and the newspapers and this placed AYF in good stead in the Northern States.
l. AYF re-launched operation WAI on 17th August, 1984 at University of Benin. The Military Governor of Bendel State, brigadier Jeremiah Useni, was the chairman.
m. On 2nd February, 1985 AYF National Council approved the wearing of vest and caps for uniformity at our outing. This was at Kaduna.
n. In 1985, the international year of the youth, a century of the birth of the founder of AYF, Nigeria, the Most Rev. Leslie Cordon Vining, CBE DD, the Archbishop of West Africa was celebrated in Lagos.
ORGANISATION AND CO-ORDINATION OF INTER-DIOCESAN COUNCIL PROGRAMMES As Dioceses increased it became necessary to create Zonal councils based on proximity of Dioceses for easy organization of the activities hence in 1985, the following Zone councils were created at a meeting held at Kaduna:
1. Northern Zone. Chief S.O Adekunle President of Kaduna Dioceses was elected as the chairman of the Northern Zone.
2. Eastern Zone. Bro. Hector C.C O’Malley, was elected the chairman for the zone.
3. Western Zone. Comprising; Lagos, Ibadan, Illesha, Ondo Owo, Akoko, Ekiti, Egba Egbado, ijebu and ijebu-Remo (12 Doiceses on the whole) had Mr. 1.0 Olaomi, President of Ibadan Council elected as the chairman of the Western Zone.
This arrangement witnessed a lot of improvement in leadership courses. Lectures were organized for evangelism, seminar for church helpers such as Sunday school teachers; guild of stewards (sides men and ladies etc).
The zonal chairmen were mandated to see to the effective administration of their zones and to come to the National Meetings with regular reports of their zone.
STRUCTURE OF THE A.Y.F
The structure of the A.Y.F remains basically the same as from inception except that today a Bishop has been appointed by the Primate to supervise and coordinate the affairs of the fellowship. The Rt Rev. Jolly Oyekpen, the Lord Bishop of Akoko Edo is the very first National Coordinator of the A.Y.F and is still the National Coordinator. Moreover the fellowship now has three (3) National Vice Presidents manning the three Joint Ecclesiastical Provincial Councils as well as a National Legal Adviser.
OFFICERS OF THE AYF: THE CONSTITUTION PROVIDES FOR THE FOLLOWING OFFICERS/POST
1. National Coordinator
2. The National President
3. National Vice President 1
4. National Vice President 2
5. National Vice President 3
6. National Secretary
7. Assistant National Secretary 1
8. Assistant National Secretary 2
9. National Financial Secretary
10. 10. National Treasurer
11. P.R.O
12. National Welfare Officer 1.
13. National Welfare Officer 2
14. National Sister Forum Coordinator
15. Assistant National Sister Forum Coordinator
16. National Prayer Coordinator
17. National Youth Star coordinator
18. Assistant National Youth Star coordinator
19. National Legal Adviser
20. National Religious Coordinator
21. National Auditor