Nation building: Catholic church tasks Nigerians on love, positive transformation

The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) has urged Nigerians to embrace conscience and positive transformation for nation building grounded in in a civilisation of love. The new Secretary General, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Rev. Fr Michael Ayanleke Banjo, gave the charge this on Thursday in Abuja, at a media conference on the programmes of […]

The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) has urged Nigerians to embrace conscience and positive transformation for nation building grounded in in a civilisation of love.

The new Secretary General, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Rev. Fr Michael Ayanleke Banjo, gave the charge this on Thursday in Abuja, at a media conference on the programmes of the secretariat for 2025.

Banjo said that citizens must embrace the sacred duty of building a nation grounded in a civilisation of love, for Nigeria to be transformed,.

He said such love includes love of God, love of one another (regardless of creed or tribe), and love of the country more than citizens love themselves.

“Poverty thrives due to lack of love. Corruption thrives because of selfishness and lack of love. This transformation begins with the formation of consciences in values that uphold the common good, integrity, kindness, justice, accountability, transparency, honesty, and a preferential option for the poor and vulnerable.

“A well-formed conscience is an unfailing guide in all spheres of life, including public office,’’ Banjo said.

He urged the media to continue to partner with the mission to shape minds and transmit values in addressing the present challenges facing Nigeria.

Banjo urged the media to continue to partner with the mission by offering it platforms as a vehicle for truth, justice, and moral clarity.

He also urged media practitioners to reject misinformation, fake news, and sycophancy, and to instead, uphold their noble role as the voice of the poor, and unheard in the society.

The CSN scribe said that as at a present situation of Nigeria, the media bears a grave responsibility to be the voice of the voiceless, the advocate of the oppressed, and the light that pierces through deception.

He said, “You are not just reporters or commentators; you are custodians of truth and essential partners in the moral renewal of Nigeria. Your mission is to expose evil in service of the common good and to keep hope alive.

“We urge you to draw wisdom from the communiqués of our bishops, which offer profound insights into the pressing moral and social challenges of our time.”

On the mission’s activities for year 2025, Banjo said that the first bi-annual plenary assembly of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) would hold from March 7 to March 14 at the CSN premises in Abuja.

He described the church 2025 ‘Jubilee Year of Hope’, observed every 25 years as a divine summon to rediscover faith, rekindle love, and restore hope in a world longing for redemption.

He said that 2025 WCD/Communications Week (ComWeek) with the theme “Share with gentleness the hope that is in your hearts” would be observed on Sunday, June 1st.

Banjo said that in Nigeria, the ComWeek, a CBCN initiative that promotes media literacy at the grassroots in all parishes and ecclesiastical institutions would run from Sunday, May 25 to June 1.

On the recent changes in the CSN, Banjo introduced Rev. Fr. Michael Nsikak Umoh as the Communications Director; Fr. Peter Audu as the new Director of the Church and Society Department and Executive Secretary of Caritas Nigeria

Also Fr. Lawrence Emehel, as the new Director, Mission and Dialogue; and Fr. Augustine Fasiku as the new Director for Pastoral Affairs.