Dr. Paolo Ruffini, Prefect, Dicastery for Communication of the Holy See has urged participants at the Congress and Delegates Assembly, SIGNIS Africa to include African cultural values and other reverential dialogue that is inspired by the family spirit and related to nature, the ancestors and the desired future of Africa. Ruffini gave the charge in his goodwill message to the Congress, holding in Kigali, Rwanda from July 11 to 15, 2022, with the theme, “Communication, synodality and the Church in Africa.” The Prefect urged the delegates to continue to draw substance and inspiration from the pearls of wisdom that their ancestors developed, in order that they will in turn, also enrich the synodal process. He prayed that through the synodal process, the African continent rediscovers the treasure of its long-tested Palaver that has potential to contribute to healing conflicts and crises that afflict the continent. He further prayed that the synodal process help participants to be more attentive to social processes, cultural traditions and the hidden of inculturation and reconciliation in Africa and beyond.

In his goodwill message, Most Rev. (Dr.) Emmanuel Badejo, President, Pan African Episcopal Committee for Social Communications (CEPACS) and Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Oyo, noted that the theme of the congress is appropriate and timely as the Church, from local communities up to the Holy See reflects on the synodality process as a way of optimising relationships and the entire people of God in the mission of Christ He said in such an important adventure, communication and all who work with it must play an important role in the stages of the project so as to contribute valuable perspectives from the field to the life of the Church. He prayed that the time spent by the participants at the congress yields long-lasting fruits for pastoral communication practice and projects in the spirit of synodality for the future.

Helen Osman, President, SIGNIS World Board of Directors commended the delegates on all they have accomplished in recent years, as they strive to use modern communication to build a culture of peace. She expressed appreciation to the Holy Father for using this year’s message World Communications Day to honour a key aspect of communication, one that is too often overlooked or unappreciated; that of listening. “Listening is, of course, essential for sincere, honest, charitable and fulfilling communication to occur.”

She noted that the people are at a critical moment in understanding how the Church must adapt to meet the needs of a world suffering from ecological degredation, a pandemic, wars, among other severe matters. She added that it is imperative that people take time to listen to one another and to discern what they are called to be. Keynote speaker on the occasion was Most Rev. (Dr.) Emmanuel Badejo. Other speakers include Msgr. Janvier Yomego, Dicastery for Communication, Vatican City, Rev. Sr. (Prof.) Dominca Dipo of Makerere University, Uganda, among others.

EAACF holds 3rd annual memorial cancer awareness lecture, awards presentation.

In a bid to reduce death due to cancer and inequities in cancer care, the Ellen Adeyinka Anjorin Cancer Foundation (EAACF) held its 2022 cancer awareness lecture, aimed at creating awareness on cancer, as well as educate the general public on the need for prevention and reduction of the disease in Nigeria. The event which is the third edition of the annual memorial cancer awareness of the foundation, with the theme, “Cancer management: The role of surgery” and the topic, “Postoperative Enterocutaneous Fistula (ECF), was held on Saturday, July 9, 2022 at Chemline House Conference Centre, Ikeja, Lagos.

In his welcome address, Mr. Olusegun Anjorin, Founder and prime mover of EAACF disclosed that the foundation was established in honour and to serve as a living memorial of his late wife, Mrs. Ellen Adeyinka Anjorin, who died of cancer of the colon on July 7, 2019. Speaking on the purpose of the annual lecture, Anjorin said he had no doubt that the mystery behind Enterocutaneous Fistula (ECF) – (abnormal connection that develops between the intestinal tract and the skin after surgery), would be unraveled. He disclosed that various experiences during the period of Mrs. Adeyinka’s sickness gave his family and himself insight into the plights, problems, as well as predicaments of cancer patients and their families. Anjorin highlighted some of the challenges of cancer patients and their families to include financial implications, treatment pattern and education, which he noted are paramount issues of concern in cancer management, hence, “Our our thought in establishing this foundation. He expressed delight at the move of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) in launching a three-year campaign for World Cancer Day, beginning from February 4, 2022 through 2024, with the theme, “Close the care gap”, to promote equity in health care provision for all population.

“This will enhance highlighting globally the issue of equity, fairer access to healthcare”, he said. He highlighted the factors responsible for disparity in the areas of access to cancer care in Nigeria and other nations as inadequate knowledge and poor cancer awareness, insufficient funds to meet the huge financial cost in cancer treatment, paucity of modern and appropriately equipped cancer treatment centers, among others. Anjorin disclosed that the foremost aim of EAACF is to raise awareness and educate the public on the need for prevention of cancer, adding that ultimately, the foundation intends to put in place a world-class cancer center that would be accessible and affordable to all. To further assist in curbing the increased rate in cancer cases, he called on the government to look into industrial waste management, especially in major cities in Nigeria because of the increase in the rate of industrialisation.

In his speech, Prof. Olusegun Alatise, chairman on the occasion, said for cancer deaths to reduce significantly in the country, the resources, equipments and materials used to manage the disease must be made available, and he added that rules are enforced and followed to the letter, as well as proper education of the patients and professionals in the cases and process of cancer management and treatment. While enumerating the different types of cancer and their treatment, Dr. Taiwo Lawal, the keynote speaker urged that people go for regular diagnostic checks, as well as seek care when the need arises, so as to curb all kinds of cancer. He said if the disease is detected early enough that there will be high chances of getting more survivors of the cases of cancer. The event also featured panel session on discussions of management and treatment of Enterocutaneous Fistula and other cancer related issues, self check screening education. Awards were presented to cancer foundations and individuals that have contributed to EAACF and cancer control.

Archbishop Martins commissions Ss. Michael, Raphael and Gabriel multipurpose building

Ss. Michael, Raphael and Gabriel Catholic Church, also known as the Archangel Parish, has commissioned a multipurpose building to serve different purposes, even as scores of candidates received the sacrament of confirmation and made full membership of the Catholic Church. It was triple celebration last Sunday, July 10, 2022 in the parish, which was also the Feast Day of O/L Mother of Perpetual Help, with the theme, “Mary, Ark of the New Covenant” Speaking on the occasion, Most Rev, (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of Metropolitan See of Lagos, said that the multipurpose building will serve the Church in various capacities, as it consists of a hospital among other facilities which would be of great benefit to the Church, especially the parishioners.

Archbishop Martins said: “The Multipurpose Hall would serve different purposes as a hall where the community can meet, a hospital facility is there and offices for the staff of the parish, it is a significant building that they have completed at this difficult time.” In his remark, Rev. Fr. Gabriel Achu, Parish Priest, Archangel Parish, said that an ark is something that provides protection and safety, adding that the Ark of the Covenant in the Jewish and Christian tradition is presented as the most instrumental symbols of faith and the manifestation of God’s presence and superior power.

Also speaking, Mr. Patrick Ndubuaku, Vice Chairman, Parish Pastoral Council, Archangel Parish, advised the Church to emulate the life and qualities of the Virgin Mary, which include humility, submission, patience, among others and live by it. Ndubuaku who congratulated all those who received the sacrament of confirmation said, “Today is a great day in the lives of our young ones, as they receive the sacrament of confirmation, which makes them soldiers of Christ and members of the Church. He said the reception of the sacrament could not have come at a better time than now that the Church battles with moral decadence, quest for materialism, among other issues confronting the society.