The members of the Catholic Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria CAMPAN Diocese of Ahiara Mbaise have expressed gratitude to God for giving them a substantive Bishop – His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Simeon Okezuo Nwobi after 13 years of the recall of the Pioneer Bishop, the Most Rev. Dr. Victor Adibe Chikwe by His Creator.
The Diocesean President of the Association, Ben Osuagwu who said this in his address at this year’s World Communications Day said “we are happy to say that Oke Ezuola. Eme nwanyi ka-emere ibe ya obi adiya nma. May all Glory be unto God Almighty in Jesus name, Amen”. Osuagwu Said that right from the first day of the appointment of the Bishop, he never believed in anything auxiliary adding that he saw Bishop Nwobi as the Substantive Bishop of Ahiara Diocese.
Osuagwu expressed happiness that they CAMPAN members were celebrating this year’s World Communications Day with the Bishop on the topic ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND THE WISDOM OF THE HEART: TOWARDS A FULLY HUMAN COMMUNICAION.
He believed that with this topic the church has realized the importance of heart to heart relationship in communication. The CAMPAN President thanked the Church for setting aside a day for media practitioners to relax and meditate on the way forward in their profession maintaining that the World Communication Day is a day of spiritual and intellectual harvest for media practitioners across the globe irrespective of denomination.
Osuagwu assured Bishop Nwobi that Media Practitioners of Mbaise extraction will work and cooperate with him and the Directorate of Media and Social Communications to elevate the Diocese globally. He said the Diocese must surely come back to its enviable position as a primus inter paris Diocese in Nigeria and hoped that the Bishop will continue where the Pioneer Bishop Victor Chikwe left it before his recall. He maintained that It was Late Bishop Chikwe’s track records of achievements that made many people outside Mbaise desired to be appointed Bishop of Ahiara Diocese not minding the fact that it is a rural Diocese. He noted that this time around, with Bishop Nwobi’s past experiences, people will see Ahiara Diocese as an urban and most peaceful, developed Diocese in Nigeria adding that very soon other Dioceses will be coming Mbaise to copy or study the model of the growth of the Diocese.
He advocated that the communications activities in the Diocese should be taken more seriously and expressed immense gratitude to Rev. Fr. Professor Walter Ihejirika , Rev. Fr. Professor Innocent Uwah, Rev. Fr. Jude Deus Osondu and Rev Fr Benjamin Ogbonna for their efforts to sustain and improve communications programmes and activities in the Diocese. They are wonderful he said.
Osuagwu said that they in the CAMPAN believe that if one of the major events held last December was coordinated by the clergy professionals, the event would have had adequate media bliss and that event was the Consecration/Ordination of the Bishop. According to him, the Publicity was a complete SHAM. If the event was handled or coordinated by the Priests vast in media activities, it would have been great,he stated. Our quentesential Diamond Scholar, teacher, father, the Rev. Monsignor Theophilus Nwalo is a media guru. The Rev. Monsignor Ben Chima is also another media guru. These priests can serve as consultants working with Frs. Ihejirika, Uwah Osondu and Ogbonna to shore up the image of the Diocese, the CAMPAN President said.
It is the believe of the CAMPAN that the Communication Department of the Diocese should be encouraged morally and financially and above all should be well equipped to meet modern standard. “We believe there are professionals there and some of our media professionals in the conventional society can be hired to assist and make their contributions. The Guide Newspaper of the Diocese is almost dead and requires more professional touch. The paper should be looked into for effective and modern journalism practice. It is true that it is a religious newspaper, it should carry more societal stories so as to attract more readership.
The President of CAMPAN pointed out that the Diocese was terribly blackmailed during the 13 years of Bishopric blackout and crisis through spurious allegations, misinformation, distortion of facts, wicked propaganda and derogatory comments and stated that all those involved must be proved wrong
He pleaded with the Bishop for a place in the Diocese where they will have as a temporary office and hold their meetings.
Osuagwu commended His Grace Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji for the good work and achievements he made as the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese.
Osuagwu maintained that Archbishop Ugorji worked hard to elevate the spirituality of the people of Mbaise as their Apostolic Administrator.
He also commended the priests of the Diocese for not wavering during the dark period as well as the flock of the Diocese for remaining steadfast and true to their faith. Osuagwu maintained that God is on their side and they must continue to march forward.
The President of Catholic Artists And Entertainers Association of Nigeria – CAEAN Mr Chris Nwachukwu in his address thanked the Director of Social Communications Rev Fr Professor Innocent Uwah and Fr Jude Osondu for their assistance to them.
He appealed for support to enable them solve some of the problems facing the Association.
Mr Nwachukwu said that they have produced two movies and if given the necessary support they will do more.
