BY Sunny A. Ijomah
The Episcopal Chairman of Social Communications (CBCN), who is also the Auxiliary Bishop of Onitsha, His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Denis C. Isizoh has charged the Catholic Media Practitioners of Nigeria to make their role in the 2019 General Election a discourse.
He gave the charge at the Opening Ceremony of the second Plenary of the Arch Diocesan/Religious Directors of Communication at Chris VI Hotels and Resort, Ahiara Mbaise.
He commended the Media Workers, who, despite the fact that most of their works go unread or unheard, keep on informing the Society, urging them to keep their Communication simple.
Most Rev. Isizoh stressed the need for them to inform the people of God on what is going on in Nigeria, especially on the Political Parties, so that they can participate fully in the upcoming Election.
He urged them to use their own Election slated for that day to show the World what Elections ought to be, by making it free and fair to choose the people that would move the Association forward.
However, in an Address presented by the President of the Association of Diocesan/religious Directors of Communication of the Catholic Church in Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Pius Uche Ukor, reminded his fellow Directors of Communication that their duty is to love their jobs, have passion for their assignments, be professional about it in order to be alive and active.
He encouraged them to participate actively in their upcoming Election in a manner that would promote just, free and fair Election devoid of Tribalism, Nepotism or any form of Bigotry.
Also in his Address, the Diocesan Director of Communication in Ahiara Diocese, Rev. Fr. Innocent Uwa commended the Goodwill of the Vicar of Christ on Earth, Pope Francis and that of Bishop Peter Okpaleke in resigning his Appointment, and the doggedness of the Apostolic Administrator, Most Rev. Dr. L. Ugorji together with the Clergy and Laity of the Diocese.
According to him, with their efforts the Church normalcy in Ahiara Diocese has returned with her enclave to the Glory of God.
On behalf of the Ahiara Catholic Priests Association, Rev. Fr. Austin Bernadine Ekechukwu who is their President described the meeting as a Social Communication Council of Nigeria, whereby all the Dioceses in Nigeria are represented.
He urged them to live by example in their deliberations and other activities, and make themselves comfortable with Mbaise Hospitality.
Meanwhile, Rev. Fr. George Emeka Nwachukwu who represented the Metropolitan of Owerri Province, His Grace Arch Bishop A. J. V. Obinna, Rev. Fr. Walter Ihejirika who is the President of SIGNIS Africa, Rev. Fr. Patrick Alumukwu, President of SIGNIS Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Chris Anyanwu who is the Director of Social Communications, Catholic Secretariats of Nigeria, all expressed gratitude to God for the Event and charged the Association to live up to Expectation.
