By Fr. Anthony Adetayo

The Directorate of Social Communications of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria organised a media workshop and training for all the directors of communications in Nigeria which took place from Monday 14th June 2021 to Thursday 17th June 2021 at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Durumi, Abuja.

In attendance was the Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, Secretary General of CSN, Very Rev. Fr. Zacharia Sanjumi, Deputy Secretary General, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Banjo, Director of Social Communications, Very Rev. Fr. Mike Umoh, Directors of different arms of CSN, Ecclesiastical and secular media professionals.

The Bishop Chairman of the Social Communications, Most Rev. Dr. Denis Chidi Isizoh, in his welcoming address on Tuesday said “we have many directors in Nigeria already but we want directors that are really directors, directors with passion to communicate, passion to deliver the context of their reportage, passion to proclaim the good news in the media. Gone are those days when we sit down at home, let us apply the Holy Father’s words in this year’s message of world communications day, “come and see”. We must not hide anymore we must go out, hit the road and report matters.”

The Bishop insisted that there are certain signs we search for in the Catholic newspapers; one of them is that we must give priority to church’s news. We must deliver the message from the church’s perspectives on secular matters. He continued by making reference to some Dioceses that have done well in this manner. “Ijebu-Ode Diocese is an example to follow in this manner. I thank the Director for always projecting the Diocese, the Bishop and the Church on the social media. This is why the CBCN has approved communications week from 2022. Make your local celebration a success.”