Ambrose IGBOKE, PhD.

 

“Communicating, for us, is not a tactic, not a technique. It is not repeating catchphrases or slogans, nor is it merely writing press releases. Communicating is an act of love,”

- Pope Francis

 

When Very Reverend Father Doctor Michael Nsikak Umoh stepped into the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria six years ago, in the year 2020, as the National Director of Social Communications, he embodied the exhortation of Pope Francis’ quotation above on communication. For him, communication is at the heart of modern evangelization. He was worried about the slow pace of the adoption of modern communication and digital communication tools in the Nigerian Catholic Community.

 

On assuming duty, he inherited a media ecosystem tethered largely to traditional methods, where an analogue Church was speaking to a digital congregation. Father Umoh took up the onerous task of making the change; introducing digital communication platforms and overhauling the entire channels and organs of communication in Nigeria’s Catholic Community. For six years, he was consistent, focused, resilient and became the change maker. As his non-renewable tenure closes at the end of August 2026, it marked the completion of an era widely celebrated as a transformative renaissance; a master class in visionary leadership that has successfully bridged traditional pastoral care with modern digital engagement.

 

Across Nigeria and beyond, an overwhelming groundswell of tributes, official commendations, and gratitude has poured in from the highest hierarchy of the Catholic Church, international communications bodies, clergy, religious, and lay faithful alike, honouring a priest whose six-year tenure left an indelible footprint on the Church's national landscape.

 

Umoh came with a rich credential in communication, having been a communication scholar, producer/presenter of Pelican Radio Series, and the Founder and pioneer Director of the Centre for Media Development in Lagos. Padre Umoh, as he is fondly called, approached social communication, not merely as an administrative duty, but as an indispensable tool for modern evangelization. Guided by Pope Francis’s call in Evangelii Gaudium to raise missionary disciples and reposition Church institutions for the mission, he mobilized a team of dedicated media and digital savvy professionals to reshape Nigeria's Catholic media infrastructure through a series of landmark initiatives.

 

At the forefront of these innovations is the Nigeria Catholic Network (NCN), a flagship digital platform created to project the Church into the public square, guaranteeing dynamic news dissemination and enhanced visibility for the Church’s mission nationwide. Alongside this, he introduced Communications Week (ComWEEK), an annual parish-level media literacy programme celebrated across Nigeria that culminates in World Communications Day. The initiative proved so impactful that it earned formal endorsements from the Vatican Dicastery for Communication and the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, prompting several other African Bishops' Conferences to adopt this Nigerian model.

 

Recognizing that long-term progress requires structural foundations, Father Umoh drove a deliberate campaign to introduce modern communication trainings in Major Seminaries and other Church institutions, equipping future priests and pastoral agents for contemporary digital ministry. He also masterfully crafted a harmonized operational organogram that unified fragmented media apostolates nationwide. This move led to the constitutional review and strategic alignment of key bodies, including the Catholic Directors of Social Communications in Nigeria (CDSCN), the Catholic Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (CAMPAN), the Catholic Artistes and Entertainers Association of Nigeria (CAEAN) and SIGNIS Nigeria. His pastoral and intellectual contribution was capped by the publication of his seminal book, Enhancing Communication in the Parish Community, which now serves as a practical blueprint for parish-level communication engagement.

 

Leading the chorus of appreciation, the immediate past President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Most Reverend Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, issued an official testimonial and letter of commendation on behalf of the Nigerian Episcopacy. Archbishop Ugorji expressed profound gratitude for Father Umoh's transformative service, noting that during his period of service, “Father Umoh spearheaded a transformative era for the communication apostolate in Nigeria, which brought the Church to the forefront of the digital age through visionary leadership.” He praised Umoh as “a priest of exceptional dedication, intellectual rigour, and administrative acumen,” and affirmed that the Bishops' Conference Administrative Board is immensely grateful for his “astounding performance and unwavering commitment to the mission of the Church.”

 

The international community strongly echoed these sentiments. The President of SIGNIS World, Reverend Father Professor Walter Chikwendu Ihejirika, eulogized Father Umoh’s foundational role as the first secretary of SIGNIS Nigeria, highlighting that the operational organogram he birthed will remain a lasting legacy in his honour. More than 287 tributes have continued to pour in from bishops, diocesan directors of communications, media professionals, classmates, and lay leaders, painting a vivid portrait of Fr. Umoh as a leader defined by professional excellence, resilience, and pastoral warmth.

 

Members of the episcopate spoke warmly of his impact. Most Reverend David Ajang, the Catholic Bishop of Lafia Diocese, commended Umoh’s visionary leadership, dedication, and tireless efforts in advancing the church’s communication apostolate and building bridges within and outside the Catholic community. Most Reverend John Oyejola, the Catholic Bishop of Oshogbo Diocese, highlighted his glaring steadfastness in service, while Most Reverend Bulus Yahonna, the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, praised his remarkable communication skills and his talent for drawing out salient insights from complex stories and writings.

 

Key figures within professional media associations and lay organizations expressed similar adulations. Suleiman Adams, a national executive council member of CAMPAN, noted that Father Umoh did not just manage an institution, but built an environment where everyone felt valued and motivated, leading with grace and unwavering integrity. Sir Olusoji Olagunju, Founder of Lumen Christi Catholic Television Network, pointed out the deep and impactful six years of service of Father Umoh, particularly in elevating Communications Week to national and international prominence. Sir Tony Chiejina, Veteran Journalist and Brand Communications Expert, also commended Umoh’s high level of professionalism, noting that it takes a creative and innovative mind to accomplish milestones that continually made and sustained news.

 

Clergy colleagues and classmates from his seminary days added personal reflections to Father Mike Umoh’s professional legacy. Reverend Father Francis Adedara, his class mate and currently a Formator in the major seminary, expressed immense pride on behalf of the Bodija 1992 class, noting that Father Umoh represents a significant feather in their cap. Monsignor Bernard Okodua praised Father Umoh as the pride of Lagos Archdiocese and Saint Anthony's Parish Gbaja, Umoh’s family parish. On his part, Father Stephen Akinsowon affirmed that Umoh’s period of service will be remembered for its sterling innovations, while Father Yemi Sobiye is elated that Father Umoh has raised the bar of the office he occupied and proved that he possesses a true Midas touch.

 

Many others highlighted Father Umoh’s exceptional administrative skills and unifying spirit. Father Thomas Ebong observed that working harmoniously across diocesan directors, religious congregations, bishops, and lay staff to execute national programmes was an extraordinary achievement. Father Patrick Abem, the Rector of St. Joseph Major Seminary in Ikot Ekpene, noted that Umoh took Catholic communication to an enviable height while Father Moses Iorapu is grateful to God that Father Umoh is leaving the stage when the ovation is loudest.

 

Monsignor Inyang Etoh commended his expertise and professionalism, and Father Charles Uganwa recognises his sincerity, wisdom, and willingness to foster active dialogue during meetings. Father Leo Ehiemere emphasized that his creativity brought the directorate into national and international limelight. Warm personal expressions also came from lay supporters; Mrs. Ewumi offered prayers of gratitude for God’s extraordinary grace as Father Umoh is welcomed back home to the Lagos Province. For Canon Victor Darlington, history will fondly remember how Fr. Umoh raised the profile of social communications at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria.

 

As Father Umoh completes his national assignment at the Catholic Secretariat, his home Archdiocese of Lagos prepares to welcome him back with open arms. In expressing the joy of the local clergy and faithful, a very senior prelate and the Vicar General of Lagos Archdiocese, Monsignor John Aniagwu, exclaimed that the priests and laity of Lagos Archdiocese eagerly look forward to having him back home to continue inspiring and motivating the local Church.

 

Though his six-year tenure at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria in Abuja has reached its regulated conclusion, Reverend Father Michael Nsikak Umoh leaves behind an architecture of digital excellence, structural harmony, and pastoral enthusiasm that will guide Catholic communications in Nigeria for generations to come.

 

Congratulations to an Astute Administrator, a Consummate Communication Expert and Scholar, a Great Homilist, a Caring and generous Priest, a Wonderful Asset to the Mother Church, the Trailblazer, my Big Brother and my Friend.