The Secretary General (SG) of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Very Rev. Fr. Michael Banjo, some new Directors of CSN and the National Director of Social Communications, Fr. Michael Nsikak Umoh, paid a courtesy visit to the Archbishop of Abuja recently to introduce themselves and ask for his blessing. In his response, the Archbishop congratulated the new leadership and emphasised the importance of their roles to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and the entire Catholic Church in Nigeria.
Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama described the CSN as an important organ of animation, mobilisation, and enlightenment for the Church in Nigeria. He urged the new leadership to be watchdogs, scrutinising and responding to societal issues, and to be the source of authentic information about the Church. The erstwhile CBCN President also emphasised the urgent need for the CSN management to build data and provide statistics and relevant information about the Church in Nigeria. To achieve this, he encouraged the new leadership to work in harmony despite their diversity, promoting unity that can serve as a model to a society riddled with division.
Since the CSN is rooted in the Archdiocese, the Archbishop further urged Fr. Banjo and his team to form one body with the Archdiocese as they work together to promote the interests of the Church. The encounter was part of the new CSN Secretary General’s introductory tour, aimed at fostering collaboration and building relationships with key stakeholders.
Accompanying him were the new Director of the Department for Church and Society, Fr. Peter Babangida Audu, who also serves as the Executive Secretary of Caritas Nigeria, as well as the Director of the Department for Mission and Dialogue, Fr. Lawrence Emehel, and the Director of the Department for Pastoral Affairs, Fr. Augustine Fasiku.
