…Calls For Patronage, Financial Support To Station
Former minister of defence and Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, congratulated the proprietor and management of the Catholic Television CTV, Abuja on its 10th year anniversary, calling on Catholics, friends to lend their support and patronage to the organisation so that it can remain on air and become an effective tool of evangelization in Nigeria and beyond.
General Danjuma who Chairman the 10th anniversary and fund raising of the Catholic Television of Nigeria CTV, held at Chida International Conference Center Utako, Abuja, said effective operation of television business requires huge capital investment without which Television business may not see the light of the day.
The former military top man praised the initiative of establishing a Catholic Television and noted that, for a Television station to survive the past 10 years, means a lot of efforts, commitment and sacrifice has been put in, and as a result the communication commission of the Catholic Church need to be commended.
“To run a television house is a very serious business and I know any television can die if it is starved of the necessary funds to procure state-of-the art equipment, maintain good staff and ensure quality content”.
He commended the director of Communications of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Rev Fr. Dr. Patrick Alumuku, for his sacrifice in ensuring the Television Station survive the test of time. General Danjuma as give kudos to the General Manager, Mr. Emmanuel Odu and their team for doing a wonderful job and for keeping the medium afloat in the last ten years despite financial challenges. He described the Catholic television project as an important project for all Catholics in Nigeria and urged them to be proud of it as it is a mega mouth-piece for the propagation of the gospel and the teachings of the Catholic faith.
While calling on well meaning Catholics in Nigeria and in the diaspora to support and donate generously toward the upkeep of the medium, General Danjuma also appreciated the proprietor of the CTV, Emeritus Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan for his vision and wisdom in founding the all-important project.
On his part, the Co-Chairman of the occasion, His Royal Majesty, King Alfred Diette Spiff, The Amanyanubo of Tuwon Brass, Bayelsa state, also thanked and appreciated the effort of the management and staff of the CTV for their sacrifices in making sure the project is sustain over tlast ten years.
He noted that the Catholic Television needed huge fund to enable it acquire modern equipment to improve on the quality and content fill broadcasting and production in order to compete favourably in the industry which he maintained is competitive.
Earlier in his welcome address, Director of the CTV, Rev. Fr. Dr. Patrick Tor Alumuku thanked all dignitaries and guests gathered for honouring their invitation. He however described the journey of the Catholic Television in the last ten years as that of “Faith and Courage, Learning and Experience,” adding that the CTV is targeted to be used as a medium to direct Nigerians to God, correct societal ills and promote the Christian faith.
He paid tribute to all those who have been supportive of the CTV project so far, notably parish priests and their good parishioners and call on them to continue as much still need to be done.
“I must tell you that whatever success achieved so far is courtesy of most people who are in our midst today; most importantly our dear founding father and Archbishop emeritus of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, as what you see here today is his vision.
Some other prominent Nigerian personalities who were also outstanding in their support to the CTV, Rev. Fr. Alumuku enumerated include, the proprietor of the African Independent Television and Ray-Power, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, the Right Hon. Chief Rotimi Amaechi, Chief Lucky Omolua, Chief Audu Ogbe, Engineer Emmanuel Mbaka, Gov. Solomon Lalong of Plateau State, His Excellency, Gov. Ortom of Benue state, Her Excellency Dame Paulen Tallen (Patroness and Ambassador of CTV) and other generous Catholics too numerous to mention.
Rev Fr. Dr. Alumuku appreciate and eulogized two women whom he said responded to the department call for the donation of used vehicles to cushion the effect of paucity of operational vehicles in the department. He explained that part of why the occasion was put together include the need to come together and thank the Almighty God for His mercy and kindness on both the staff and management of the CTV and to “put hands together to raise the sum of 300 million naira to make the CTV visible in DSTV or Star-times platforms.
“Our target is to get enough funds with which to buy modern equipment of high definition level to improve the quality of our programmes.’’
The Catholic priest and University lecturer told the audience that the CTV is now transmitting far beyond the shores of Nigeria to distant places like parts of East, South and Central Africa, adding that the management of the television has set up CTV promoters outfits within and outside the country, like Jos, Kano Italy etc , to ensure both wider coverage and quality inflow of content and exchange programmes.
Archbishops and bishop and notable personalities that graced the occasion includes; the Emeritus Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, the Archbishop of Abuja, His Grace, Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama, the CBCN Episcopal Chairman of Communications and the Auxiliary bishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Dennis Isizor, Monsignor Dominic Enang, priests and number of directors of Communication from many dioceses across the country, as well as religious and laity.