The Metropolitan Archbishop of Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan, Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin has said that the Media have a lot of chances to change our country for the better. His Grace said this during a Press Conference as part of World Communication Week 2025 with the theme: “Share with Gentleness the Hope that is in Your Hearts” organized by The Directorate of Communications of Ibadan Archdiocese, on Wednesday, 28th May 2025 inside Pastoral Institute’s Hall.

The Archbishop was accompanied to the Press Conference by the Pastoral Secretary, V. Rev. Fr. Richard Omolade; the Archdiocesan Chancellor, V. Rev. Fr. Anthony Omolade; the Dean of Bodija Deanery, V. Rev. Fr. Joseph Akinbinu; the New Director of Communications, Rev. Fr. Anthony Ogunyale; the Editor of the Catholic Weekly Independent, Rev. Fr. Peter Ibimiluyi; the Assistant Secretary to the Archbishop, Rev. Fr. Anthony Fasakin; and the National President of the Catholic Artists and Entertainers Association of Nigeria (CAEAN), Amb. (Mrs) Edith Isidahomen.

The President of the Catholic Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (CAMPAN), Comrade Cosmos Oni, who anchored the Press Conference welcomed the Archbishop and his entourage as well as members of the Press to the event before an opening prayer said by V. Rev. Fr. Joseph Akinbinu.

Archbishop Abegunrin also welcomed all to the Press Conference marking the celebration of the 59th World Communications Day which was themed by the Late Pope Francis, “Share with Gentleness the Hope that is in Your Hearts” (cf. 1 Peter 3:15-16).

In his speech, His Grace reminded the Press men that we are living in a world overwhelmed by noise, division, and anxiety and so, the Church is calling on the Media to be a calm and courageous voice-echoing the truth of the Gospel. “As Communicators, our mission is not merely to inform, but to inspire; not only to speak, but to listen with empathy; not to incite fear or conflict, but to foster hope and understanding.” His Grace noted.

According to the Archbishop, in responding to the Holy Father’s call with renewed commitment, the Archdiocese of Ibadan, through the efforts of its Communications Directorate is celebrating World Communications Day with a lot of activities, which include: Workshops, Reflections, Media training, and Creative engagements involving both Seasoned Professionals and emerging voices-especially the youth.

His Grace, who stated that the Church recognized the remarkable changes technology is bringing to the way we live and communicate charged the Journalists to let their words and images shape the society as he added that journalists’ words and images can build or break, heal or harm. “Let your voices carry messages of hope, not fear; of unity, not division.”

The Chief Shepherd of Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan also enjoined all faithful to remember that all are Communicators in their various homes, parishes, schools, markets, and online platforms; hence they have the opportunities every day to share hope, to speak kindly, and to witness Christ.

Answering questions from the journalists on the situations in the country, the Archbishop said whether the country has hope or not depends on the citizens; whom he charged to always make initiatives that can benefit the country. “The people are the Church, the citizens are the country and so, if we say the country is in a coma, we (citizens) are supposed to wake it up.”

On the ongoing campaign and strategizing for 2027 election in the midst of insecurity in every aspect of our lives, His Grace said it is so, because the citizens are listening to the politicians, otherwise, they will keep quite. He canvassed for more media to reach more people and more public schools to make education closer to the masses, as he said people are fed up and are also bringing up children who are fed-up but that if the parents can endure, what of their children?

Archbishop Abegunrin called on the media, who in collaboration with the Church can bring about positive changes. He, at the same time frowned at the presence of untutored journalists like some untutored pastors who go about deceiving people. His Grace stated that Agidigbo FM has offended the Church by saying a priest in the Archdiocese impregnated a lady but which happened to be untrue after investigation.

Another reference the Archbishop made is that of locking of the gate of St. Mary Cathedral, Oke-Padi by the Oyo State Ministry of Environment under a fictitious claim that the ministry got a petition that a toilet belonging to the school inside the Cathedral is leaking and has caused the death of two persons. According to His Grace and Comrade Cosmos Oni, the School was locked on Monday, 26th of May and when the Ministry knows it cannot get anything from the School, it locked the Cathedral gate the following day, without any prior notification and the Ministry (Environment) has been disturbing with calls (even while the Press Conference was ongoing) demanding that the sum of Five Hundred Thousand (N500,000.00) be paid into a particular account through Code: OYSG 4020138.

The Archbishop therefore cautioned government officials against misuse of power, even as he called on the government to properly educate and train its employees as any lie against the Church will be taken up legally.

The Chairman, Organizing Committee, Dr. Paul Anthony Emokhare gave a vote of thanks and also highlighted other programmes for the week, extending invitations to the members of the Press; while V. Rev. Fr. Richard Omolade said the closing prayer and the blessing by the Archbishop.