By Rachel Kogi
In a bid to explore and strengthen their respective responsibilities, the Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria (CCFN) of the Church and Society Department and CSN Communications office, both of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), held a meeting to discuss ways of fostering a synergy between the two organs.
The meeting was held at the office of the Executive Secretary of Caritas Nigeria on Friday, 3rd December, 2021, with Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Uche Obodoechina, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Michael Nsikak Umoh, Very Rev. Fr. Peter Babangida and their respective media teams in attendance.
In his welcome address, Fr. Uche thanked Fr. Umoh for initiating the move for the two organs to think out ways and means of possible collaboration between them for greater effect and success.
The Executive boss noted that it is the responsibility of the two agencies to communicate the work they are doing since “both agencies are extensively engaged in a lot of activities, which has made the synergy imperative.” He explained that in working together, there are already delineations, which means no one is going to usurp the responsibility of the other. Everyone in their own uniqueness can contribute”.
He further stated that this is the first time anybody from CSN Communications office is proposing such a brilliant idea, while addressing Fr. Umoh as a communicator who sees and knows how to communicate. He encouraged the Communications teams of both offices to meet and come up with ideas which will be presented to the heads for approval and onward action.
In his response, the National Director of the Directorate of Social Communications, Very Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Michael Nsikak Umoh applauded Fr. Uche for being receptive of great ideas. He noted that “no matter how beautiful an idea may be, until it is received, it remains dead. But once it is received, it breathes and thrives.” He appreciated the Executive Secretary of Caritas Nigeria for opening his heart and already living out the theme of the 2022 Communications Week, “Listen.”
Fr. Umoh observed that the bottom line of the meeting is to synergise; and the world today is about synergy. He noted that big corporations like Facebook and Google are all seeking a synergy and affirmed that the meeting became necessary “to see how we can help each other with mutual respect, knowledge, promoting and advancing what each person is doing. By doing so, we all end up being fulfilled and happy for contributing to our offices and to the Church.”
The National Director went on to introduce the mobile digital App being developed by the Communications office for the Catholic Church in Nigeria, the nigeriacatholicnetwork.com, which is the one stop integrated network for all that concerns the Catholic Church in Nigeria. He projected that by the end of 2022, the App should record over a million active users and disclosed that the Directorate is willing to dedicate a hub on the App for Caritas Nigeria’s content.
The Director further informed the Caritas team about the willingness to allow them use the communications studio for programs when completed. Another area of collaboration he identified from the Communications office is ICT and graphics designs. “The synergy between the two organs will enable the CSN media office tell the Caritas story especially in areas not captured by Caritas Nigeria”, he said.
In the same vein, the Deputy Executive Secretary of Caritas Nigeria, Very Rev. Fr. Peter Babangida welcomed all to the meeting and lauded the initiative, noting that it is a good development for the advancement of the Church.
The Caritas Communications Advisor, Cecilia Agrinya took the teams through the activities of Caritas Communications unit, noting that the unit has a broad goal to support Caritas Nigeria through three strategic objectives which are to increase the visibility of Caritas Nigeria, to improve Social and Behaviour Change Communications strategies for the different interventions as well as business development. She outlined the various strategies adopted by the unit to enhance the visibility of Caritas through promotion of the organisation’s activities using jingles, video clips, success stories and social media engagement, noting that these can be areas of collaboration between the two organs.
