CBCN commends collaboration by the laity in advancing the Church’s mission

By Rachel Kogi

Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has commended the collaborative efforts of the Catholic Laity Council in strengthening the propagation of the gospel in the country.

The President of the Conference, Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Obiora Akubeze gave this commendation on Friday 26 November, 2021 while commissioning Laps New World Hotel/Sancta Maria Centre in Jabi- Abuja, established by the Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria.

Represented by the Episcopal Chairman on Laity, Most Rev. Dr. John Niyiring Namaza OSA, the event commenced with a Holy Mass, followed by the commissioning and grand opening of the centre, established for and regarded as an edifice for evangelisation.

In his address, His Lordship Bishop Namaza described the project as a successful collaboration between the ranks of the laity. The Prelate stated that the Church is grouped into three levels which are the Clergy, Consecrated persons and Laity, but the majority are laity. Specifically, he stated that “about 30 million Nigerians are Catholics, out of which only about one million are clergy and consecrated persons.”

The Bishop further noted that “before now, in spite of the large number of the laity, collaborative efforts of this nature were hardly successful, but this one came out successful, which is why it is regarded as a historic event in the life of the Church and the entire laity in Nigeria hold the project in high regards.” He reminded the laity that the Church belongs to them, considering their numbers, and “both the laity and clergy should always work together for the good of the Church and the advancement of God’s kingdom.”

Bishop Namaza saluted the efforts of the developer as well as the officials of Catholic Laity Council, noting that the President of the Council, Mr. Folu Adekoya is a very patient man, a virtue which impelled the success of the project. He urged everyone to promote the new hotel/centre so as to attract patronage and explained that it has been established to provide accommodation for Church programs and generate resources for the advancement of the Church’s mission. As such, it should be positioned to do so by promoting it.

In a comment on the current situation of Nigeria, His Lordship stated that all the terrible things happening in the country at the moment is as a result of lack of love. He said that everything stems from greed and corruption because there is no love. He therefore encouraged Nigerians and their leaders to have love for God and their fellow man if they want a better society. He said “love is very essential if we are to move forward as a people.”

The National President, Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria, Mr. Thomas Folu Adekoya presented an update of activities that led to the completion of the work, observing that in spite of all the challenges encountered in the course of the project, his joy was full. He thanked all those who worked assiduously for the success of the project as well as his predecessors for laying such a beautiful foundation for him to build on. He urged everyone from different dioceses, deanaries and parishes to make use of the hotel for their programs and lodging purposes.

In a similar vein, the Project Developer, Distinguished Senator Danjuma La’ah acknowledged the efforts of the previous executives of the Laity Council for initiating the project idea and designing a roadmap for the development of the centre amidst all the challenges. He equally appreciated the Episcopal Chairman on Laity and the President for their encouragement which led to the success of the work even though bedevilled by challenges like Covid-19 and high inflation. He urged the hotel staff to work hard in always maintaining a clean environment so as to attract patronage to the centre.

The colourful event was also graced by the present and former National Chaplains of the Laity, the National Director of Social Communications, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Mike Nsikak Umoh, a governorship aspirant for Kaduna State, Alhaji Sani Abbas, other dignitaries as well as Laity Council officials and members from across Nigeria. All speakers at the event affirmed the usefulness of the project in advancing the mission of the Church.