1. Protocol and Greetings
Our Respected Bishop Chairman for Social Communications, Most Rev. Prof. Gerald Musa,
The Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Michael Banjo,
Reverend Fathers and Directors working here at the CSN,
The Dedicated Staff of the CSN Communications Office,
Distinguished Gentlemen of the Press,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
2. Introduction
It is with a heart full of gratitude to Almighty God, in the name of our Secretary General, that I welcome you all to the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria on this auspicious double celebration. Today, we join the universal Catholic Church to mark the 60th World Communication Day (WCD). Concurrently, here in Nigeria, this day brings to a triumphant close our week-long grassroots media literacy program, the 5th edition of the Communication Week (ComWEEK), which has vibrantly engaged parishes and chaplaincies across the length and breadth of our nation.
Your presence here today at the Catholic Secretariat, as it has been for some years now, is a testament to the vital partnership between the Church and the media in building a well-informed, just, and morally upright society. We thank you for keeping up with the tradition.
3. Tribute to our Erstwhile Bishop Chairman: Most Rev. David Ajang
Before I introduce our new leadership, it is only fitting that we look back with deep appreciation. I want to take this formal opportunity to express our profound gratitude to our immediate past Bishop Chairman for Social Communications, Most Rev. David Ajang, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Lafia.
Throughout his tenure, he was not just a supervisor, but a pillar of support, a visionary guide, and a father to the entire communications apostolate in Nigeria. His unwavering encouragement was foundational to the revolutions we achieved in about the last six years; the vision and goals which gave birth the Nigeria Catholic Network (NCN), the national institutionalisation of ComWEEK, and the production of an organogram with an aim to synergise the efforts of all Catholic communication bodies and all communication initiatives of the Church in Nigeria. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Bishop Ajang for his stellar leadership and for always giving us the wings to fly. May God reward his labours abundantly in his ongoing apostolate.
4. Introducing our New Bishop Chairman: Most Rev. Gerald Musa
Gentlemen of the press, building upon that solid foundation, this year’s celebration marks a historic milestone for our Directorate. It is my distinct honour and privilege to formally introduce to you our new Bishop Chairman for Social Communications, Most Rev. Gerald Mamman Musa, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Katsina.
Bishop Musa is not a stranger to the world of communication; rather, he is a titan within it. He joins us directly from the heights of academia, having served with distinction as a Lecturer at the Centre for the Study of African Culture and Communication (CESACC) at the Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA), Port Harcourt.
As a consummate communications scholar and a seasoned shepherd, his appointment by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) is a profound blessing. He brings an immense wealth of academic rigour, strategic insight, and pastoral zeal that will undoubtedly propel the Church’s communication apostolate to even greater heights. I am confident you will all accord His Lordship the highest professional regard and collaboration.
5. A Fond Farewell and Expression of Gratitude
As many of you are already aware, I am approaching the finish line of my mandate. In a few months, I shall formally disengage from my role as the National Director of Social Communications, concluding a very challenging and deeply rewarding six-year tenure.
Looking back at the journey we began in 2020, I am filled with immense gratitude to God for the enablement; to my Archbishop, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, for his graciousness in releasing me for this national assignment, and to the entire Catholic Bishops of Nigeria, for the trust and opportunity to serve on this wonderful capacity; and for their unflinching support all the period. By God’s grace, we can humbly say that we have revolutionised the digital presence of the Catholic Church in Nigeria, notably through the launch and sustenance of the Nigeria Catholic Network (NCN), the institutionalisation of ComWEEK, and the restructuring of our various communication bodies to form a unified, synergistic front. We must not fail to note, that all these are still work in progress, as there are still so much that needs to be done.
None of these achievements would have been possible without your unwavering solidarity. You, the gentlemen of the press, have been our reliable allies. You carried our voice to the public arena, amplified our structural interventions, and reported on our advocacy for public accountability, national infrastructure reform, and good governance with balance and integrity.
For your cooperation over the past six years, we express our profound gratitude.
6. A Request for Continued Solidarity
As I prepare to hand over the baton, my deepest prayer is that these structures we have built together, continue to flourish. I now earnestly implore you to extend even greater cooperation, professional warmth, and solidarity to whomever my successor will be.
Please, continue to stand firmly by the CSN Communications Office and the Catholic Church in Nigeria as a whole. The media and the Church share a sacred duty to be the conscience of the nation, especially in times of socio-economic anxieties, as we are currently experiencing. Let us maintain this frontline alliance for the common good of Nigerian and humanity.
Furthermore, I wish to convey to you the deep gratitude of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN). The hierarchy of the Church greatly appreciates your relentless sacrifices, your courage in truth-telling, and your invaluable service to Nigerian society. Our Bishops constantly hold you and your families in prayer, asking for God’s protection over you in the line of duty.
7. A Beautiful Personal Coincidence
Just before I conclude, permit me to share a little joy with you on a personal note. By a wonderful, providential coincidence, today, as we celebrate the global World Communication Day and wrap up ComWEEK, also marks my 58th birthday.
Celebrating this personal milestone on the very day dedicated to my lifelong passion, communication, and surrounded by the wonderful communication family and friends like you, is the finest birthday gift I could ever ask for. I thank God for the gift of life and the privilege to have served our Mother Church at this level. I thank our Blessed Mother Mary for her constant intercession, all the way.
8. Conclusion
Once again, dear gentlemen of the press, thank you for coming, and thank you for all your support and collaboration. As we formally close ComWEEK 2026 and celebrate World Communication Day, I wish you all a successful media coverage, safety in your assignments, and God’s abundant blessings.
Long live the Comweek initiative!
Long live the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria!!
Long live the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria!!!
Long Live the Catholic Church in Nigeria, and universally!!!!
Happy World Communication Day to you all.
Rev. Fr. Michael Nsikak Umoh
National Director of Social Communications,
Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja.
