Bishop Ajang meets with CSN Communications and CAMPAN, Lafia

By Rachel Kogi

As part of activities for the two-day working visit of the National Director of Social Communications, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja and his team to the Bishop of Lafia and the Episcopal Chairman of Social Communications, Most Rev. David Ajang, a meeting was held with the Catholic Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (CAMPAN), Lafia Diocese to advance ways of proper media engagement in the Diocese.

Addressing the group at his residence on Friday, August 19, 2022, Bishop Ajang urged them to come together and strategise on how best they can function, considering that the group had just being resuscitated. He encouraged them to always meet to evaluate their activities and make strategic plans for upcoming ones, while cautioning against “the temptation of only being functional at events and going into oblivion, only to reappear during another event.”

In the spirit of appreciation, the Prelate thanked the National Director of Social Communications, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Nsikak Umoh and his team for their visit, affirming that it was a memorable time full of learning for both parties. He lauded the efforts of the Diocesan Social Communications Director, Rev. Fr. Godwin Apesuu for all his sacrifices and for taking the CSN team around the Diocese on his behalf. Bishop Ajang also praised Fr. Apesuu for the great work and success of the recently resuscitated Diocesan Newspaper, Catholic Voice, while calling on the media professionals to support him in projecting the activities of the Diocese.

As it is customary of the Chief Shepherd of Lafia to reawaken the consciousness of Nigerians to their civic responsibility in the 2023 elections anytime there is a chance, the Bishop called on all the media professionals to make everyone realise the seriousness of the election, noting that “the future of Nigeria and Nigerians depends on the outcome of the 2023 elections.” He urged the body to sensitise the general public towards electing credible candidates. “Let us look at the present state of affairs. It is bad enough, but it could be worse, or it could become better. Whether it will become worse or better depends on who we choose,” he said.

Similarly, while welcoming the CAMPAN body to the meeting, Fr. Umoh appreciated the Bishop for the warm reception accorded him and his team and for making the meeting with CAMPAN possible even at a short notice. He thanked Fr. Apesuu for facilitating the successful visit while also thanking the Bishop, the Director and CAMPAN for successfully marking the maiden celebration of Communications Week in Lafia Diocese. He charged the CAMPAN body to “bring their faith to bear upon their profession and always stand for truth” so that through their work, they can “bring about the wellbeing of the society and advancement of the dignity of the human person.” Fr. Umoh explained that “the most basic ingredient of the media profession is truth and truth is what the Church as an institution stands for.”

Responding to the concerns of CAMPAN regarding harassment during coverage of Masses and other Diocesan programmes, the National Director informed the group of plans at the national level to develop a document on media use regulation for the Catholic Church in Nigeria. In the interim, he advised that identification tags be made available for all CAMPAN members for easy access to cover events in the Diocese.

In response, Fr. Apesuu recalled the goals advanced by the National Director on building digital presence for the Church and growing media literacy at the grassroots, noting that the best way for Lafia Diocese to support the initiatives was to key into them wholly. He promised to provide tags for the members of CAMPAN while appreciating Bishop Ajang for his media-friendly disposition which makes projecting the Diocese easier and more effective.

Among some of the places visited by the CSN Social Communications delegation were the ongoing project of the Diocesan Secretariat, as well as parishes and schools in and around Agyarangu and Obi deaneries.