- Restates stance as a social crusader, moral justice platform
Nigeria’s oldest surviving newspaper, The Catholic Herald weekly newspaper, flagged off activities for its 100th anniversary celebration on Thursday, April 4, 2024. Held in the Chancery of the Archdiocese of Lagos, it was marked with the unveiling of the Centenary and Awards Presentation logos. Addressing the core target audience of the paper at the event, the newspaper Publisher, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, in his keynote address, noted that The Catholic Herald weekly newspaper has, through sheer doggedness and resilience, traversed the turbulent Nigerian print media terrain, marred with social-economic upheavals and financial turbulence to tell its centenary story, this year.
He said, “We can proudly state that the paper has offered 100 years of exceptional services to the Catholic Church and humanity. “The Catholic Herald weekly newspaper is indeed, truly Nigerian. We have made history together with the Nigerian nation and should be proud of this monumental feat, because very few Nigerian newspapers can boast of such a rich and relevant heritage as a member of the 100- year club. “Post amalgamation, pre-independence, independence and through the phases of the nation ever since, the newspaper has been marching hand-in-hand with Nigeria and its citizenry availing Catholics and the secular sphere objective reporting, insightful columns and compelling editorials that fully instil Christian spirit, as well as engender a peaceful and just society, utilising a host of resources and media technology.”
Disclosing that The Catholic Herald weekly will clock 100 years on June 21, 2024, the Publisher described the newspaper as a very unique and integral part of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos’ identity. He added, “It would mark its 100 years of service to the Archdiocese and Nigeria as whole; as well as celebrate the Archdiocesan people that have contributed enormously to the growth of the paper.” Archbishop Martins further stated that the centenary celebration offers a unique opportunity to focus national attention on The Catholic Herald weekly newspaper, its history, key features, achievements and aspirations.
The prelate stressed, “To this end, a legacy initiative will be developed and launched. “Therefore, the centenary celebration also serves an opportunity to reinforce the hope of Nigerians, express our shared values to strengthen national consciousness and patriotism. “To commemorate this milestone is a line-up of activities designed to further integrate the newspaper in the fabric of the society beyond the Church, as well as its various brands including www.catholicherald.org.ng.”
He itemised The Catholic Herald @ 100 commemorative events thus:
• Flag-off of centenary celebrations.
• Showcase of The Catholic Herald Awardees.
• The Catholic Herald Awards & Centenary Lecture.
• The 2nd Lagos Archdiocesan Communications Conference.
• The Herald 100 (Thanksgiving Mass and Presentation of Certificates).
The flag-off centenary celebration which took place on Thursday, April 4, 2024 is first in the chain of activities lined up for the year-long anniversary celebrations. It witnessed the unveiling of the centenary and awards presentation logos. Unveiling the logos, the Publisher revealed the paper’s new strategic vision. Hear him, “It is my honour and great privilege to unveil The Catholic Herald centenary logo. We look forward boldly, and with great confidence and optimism to the next 100 years of impeccable evangelical services to the Archdiocese of Lagos, Nigeria and the world as a whole.” Going down memory lane, Archbishop Martins stated that The Catholic Herald Weekly newspaper is the flagship of religious reporting in Nigeria and the country’s first Catholic newspaper.
He said, “Its first edition was published in the year 1924 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Ebutte-Metta, Lagos, by an SMA Priest. “The newspaper played a pivotal role in the attainment of Nigeria’s independence through its compelling news stories and editorials that spoke truth to the authorities. It had an original concept of a distinct nationalist and democratic orientation beyond its primary goal of enhancing the Catholic spirituality of the lay faithful. But years later, while still fulfilling its number 1 goal of instilling full Christian spirit into readers, it regressed on its secondary goal of advancing public opinion in accordance with Catholic teachings and precepts, as well as the Nigerian Constitution geared at promoting humanity and boosting development in the society. “Hence, for several months in 2020, The Catholic Herald weekly underwent a comprehensive rebranding exercise. It was relaunched on January 1, 2021 at the Holy Cross Cathedral Lagos. “The rebranding was a multi-platform makeover. The new brand identity was created to enhance its readership across its print and digital platforms.”
According to him, the renewed vision was broadened to cater for the larger society. The prelate further revealed that pursuant to this vision, The Catholic Herald weekly newspaper is now better positioned as a social crusader and moral justice platform to address national issues and bring about necessary changes to make the society a better place in addition to significantly retaining its core values of speaking to the spiritual concerns of Catholics. “The reenergised design has made the paper stronger with an enhanced personality, accomplished through finer details of contrasting font types and colours that adhere to The Catholic Herald’s typography sensibilities. Its editorial departments and sections were also given refreshed looks and rejigged to be more appealing,” he stressed.
Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu, Director, Social Communications, Archdiocese of Lagos, narrated the history of Nigeria’s oldest surviving newspaper in his Welcome Address. He recalled that The Catholic Herald newspaper was founded by Bishop Ferdinand Terrien, SMA in 1924 as a national newspaper. According to him, it was initially named ‘Nigerian Catholic Herald’ and was published from St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Ebute Metta, Lagos. Very Rev. Fr. Godonu further disclosed that Fr. Peter McCawille, SMA, in his book, entitled, ‘Leaving Legacy in Lagos’, The Catholic Herald newspaper was “printed by the Vicariate’s St. Paul Press as a monthly newspaper. “For many years, it was the sole organ of public information and opinion for the Catholic Church throughout Nigeria. From a monthly, it appeared fortnightly and then weekly. One Fr. Edward Peter Bermingham was very instrumental in its growth in the 1940s. He was said to have run the newspaper from St. Paul’s, Ebute Metta and then from St. Matthew’s, Yaba infusing new life into the newspaper. “Since then, the Newspaper has passed through many hands, ranging from Very Rev. Msgr. Gabriel Osu to Very Rev. Fr. Mike Umoh, and late Very Rev. Fr. Raphael Adebayo,” the Director recollected.
Also speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the Special Guest, Sir Steve Omojafor OON, KCSS, commended Nigeria’s premier Catholic newspaper for its innovation and regeneration which It is my honour and great privilege to unveil The Catholic Herald centenary logo. We look forward boldly and with great confidence and optimism to the next 100 years of impeccable evangelical services to the Archdiocese of Lagos, Nigeria and the world as a whole has not only refreshed its brand identity, but also its mix of world class content for the past 100 years till now. He shared his experiences with the newspaper, “My own personal journey with The Herald dates back to as far back as when I was a Mass Server at St. Michael Catholic Church, Lafiaji. This was over 50 years ago.
Since then I have been involved in one way or the other in the publishing and circulation of The Herald. I was extremely excited when the Herald changed its logo of many years to the refreshed one we have now. I must say congratulations to The Herald team for coming up with this logo. “The paper certainly has come a long way. We have had problems getting parishioners to buy The Herald. They rather spend the money on the Punch, Guardian, This Day newspapers rather than get our own publication which covers the entire Archdiocese and reports issues concerning us. “Whereas we have a number of topical articles written by world class writers.” He puts forward a strategy to enhance sales of the paper. Hear him, “In fact, it has gotten to a level where His Grace has to make it mandatory for every parish to collect copies and distribute to its parishioners. If we do that for a while, subsequently they will get used to it and thereafter make the purchases themselves.”
“There are a lot of interesting articles, as well as global news from Rome in the newspaper. The Children’s page is super. Now we speak directly with our children, in every edition, we get them to talk on one thing or the other pertaining to the Catholic faith and moral issues. So, we are beginning to get them interested in the paper, with time they will grow to take ownership of the paper”. Sir Omojafor urged the lay leaders and faithful to enhance their commitment to the paper. In his words, “It’s a lot of work and all of us have to key into it and I expect as much participation from the parishes as well as lay organisations and societies, going forward. Once again, I congratulate His Grace on this epoch-making event and unveil of the logos. I must say it’s a very pretty job.”
The event brought together the stakeholders, religious, Knights and Ladies, and lay leaders, that make up the critical target audience of The Catholic Herald weekly newspaper. Sir Tony Nnachetta, Grand Knight, Eko Sub-Council, Knights of St. Mulumba (KSM) Nigeria; Mr. Kingsley Ekwem, President, Lagos Archdiocesan Catholic Men Organisation of Nigeria (LACMON); Lady Catherine Alabi, President, Catholic Women Organisation Nigeria, Lagos Archdiocese (CWONLA); Mrs. Vivian Ibuodinma, Vice President, CYON, Lagos Archdiocese; Rev. Sr. Doris Gali SHCJ, Coordinator, MCA, Lagos Archdiocese and Lady Justina Nwankwo, Grand Respected President, Ladies Auxiliary, KSJI, Lagos Grand, lauded the paper’s Publisher and team for accomplishing a centenary landmark as they also pledged their commitment to the sustenance of the paper.
Lady Adaku Mbama, Metro PRO, Ladies of St. Mulumba (LSM), Lagos Metropolitan Council; Rev. Sr. Felicia Gyang, OLA, Brigadier General Chuks Amangbo, Grand President, Knights of St. John International, Lagos Grand as well as members of the Lagos Archdiocesan Communications Communication (LACC), including Rev. Fr. Joseph Oyekunle, Assistant Director, Directorate of Social Communications; Rev. Fr. Paul Ariole, Secretary to the Archbishop/Associate Editor, The Catholic Herald weekly newspaper; Sir Tony Chiejina and Mr. Seyi Martins also graced the occasion.
