Media practitioners and organisations in Nigeria has been told to reshape their role during the forthcoming general election.
The charge was given by the Episcopal Chairman of Social Communications CBCN, and Auxiliary Bishop of Onitsha, His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Denis . C . Isizoh at the opening ceremony of the second Plenary of the Arch Diocesan/Religious Directors of Communication at Chris VI Hotels and Resort, Ahiara Mbaise Imo State.
While commending media workers for informing and educating the society, the bishop lament as most of them go uncelebrated. He however urged them to always keep their communication simple.
Bishop Isizoh further the need for media workers to inform the people of God on the happenings in Nigeria especially issues concerning political parties so that they can participate fully in the 2019 general election.
He charged all media workers present to use their own election slated for the general election day to show the world how elections should be organised by making it free and fair to chose the people that would move the Association forward.
In his address, President of the Association of Diocesan/Religious Directors of Communication of the Catholic Church in Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Pius Uche Ukor, reminded fellow Directors of Communication that their duty is to love their jobs, have passion for their assignments, be professional about it in order to be alive and active.
He encouraged all communication directors to participate actively in the forthcoming election of the association in a manner that would promote just, free and fair election devoid of tribalism, nepotism or any form of bigotry.
On his part, the Diocesan Director of Communication in Ahiara Diocese, Rev. Fr. Innocent Uwa commended the Goodwill of the Vicar of Christ on Earth, Pope Francis and that of Bishop Peter Okpaleke in resigning his apppointment, and the doggedness of the Apostolic Administrator, Most Rev. Dr. Lucius Ugorji together with the Clergy and laity faithful of the Diocese. According to him, with their efforts, normalcy has returned to Ahiara diocese.
Meanwhile, Rev. Fr. Austin Bernadine Ekechukwu who is the President of Ahiara Catholic Priests Association described the gathering as a Social Communication Council of Nigeria, where all the dioceses in Nigeria are represented. He urged them to live by example in their deliberations and other activities, and make themselves comfortable with Mbaise hospitality.
In a similar vein, Rev. Fr. George Emeka Nwachukwu who represented the Metropolitan of Owerri Province, His Grace Arch Bishop A. J. V. Obinna and Rev. Fr’s. Walter Ihejirika President of SIGNIS Africa, Patrick Alumukwu, President of SIGNIS Nigeria, Chris Anyanwu Director of Social Communications, Catholic Secretariats of Nigeria, all expressed gratitude to God for the event and charged the Association to live up to expectation.