Jacob BABALOLA (Staff writer)

The Grand Finale of 2025 World Communications Day was held on Sunday, 1st June, 2025 with the Metropolitan Archbishop of Ibadan, Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin decrying the low culture of reading in Ibadan Archdiocese in particular and therefore appealing for more patronage for the Catholic Weekly Independent in order for the faithful to be abreast of the happenings in the Archdiocese.

The 2025 World Communications Day with the theme “Share with Gentleness the Hope that is in Your Hearts (cf. Peter 3:15-16), which started a week earlier and had witnessed a lot of activities such as Press conference, workshop/training for parish Media teams on the theme “Digital Discipleship: Using Social Media to share the gospel Message” was concluded with a Mass and reception at St. Mary Catholic Cathedral, Oke-Padi, Ibadan. The Mass was celebrated by the Archbishop and concelebrated by the Assistant Cathedral Administrator, Rev. Fr. Anthony Fasakin.

Present at the Mass were Media Practitioners from Broadcast, Prints and Online Media, among whom were the General manager of BCOS, Mr Goke Adelakun, Chief Kayode William, Pa Emmanuel Ogunyale, Dr. Paul Emokhare, Comrade Cosmos Oni, Amb. (Mrs) Edith Isidahomen, Oyo NUJ Vice Chairman, Mr Seye Ojo (representing the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Ademola Babalola); Laity Vice President, Mr Titus Oduah; President of AICMO, Sir Felix Adoroh, Parish Council Chairman of the Cathedral, Mrs Olagbaju as well as CYON President in the Archdiocese.

Also joining the celebration midway were the Director of Social Communications in the Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Anthony Ogunyale and the Cathedral Administrator, Very Rev. Fr. Julius Akinyode, to mention but a few.

During the Mass, the Archbishop read the Pope’s Message for the 59th World Communications Day as already prepared by the Late Pope Francis in place of the homily. In the message, the Holy Father noted that too often, communication generates not hope but distress and therefore appealed that messages that bring hatred and crises be done away with by the Communicators, while they embrace communicating what will bring hope, since it is what the Communicators push out that people will embrace.

His Grace also used the opportunity to condemn a radio station that tried to blaspheme a priest in the Archdiocese of which he said the case is already in court; and the locking of Cathedral Gate by the Officials of the State Ministry of Environment over a fictitious claim. He noted that there must be an enemy within and called on the faithful to be watchful. He however, added that the Church will not pay for a crime not committed.

There was blessing of Media practitioners’ tools by the Archbishop during the Mass as well as thanksgiving of the body.

The Director of Social Communications, Rev. Fr. Anthony Ogunyale in his speech commended the theme chosen by the late Pope Francis for the 2025 World Communications Day. He opined that to be able to share hope, the Communicators must be people of hope too, as no one gives what he/she doesn’t have. He enjoined all Communicators, youths and also the parents to embrace evangelization through the use of Social Media tools.

The Archbishop in his remarks admonished all to always ask after any member of their respective groups, whenever such member is absent.

His Grace also admonished the faithful to patronize Catholic Weekly Independent, which he said is for Ibadan Archdiocese and not to wait until a time he will have to give directive for the allocation of certain number of copies to parishes, for which parishes will have to pay, whether sold or not. Archbishop Abegunrin also appealed to CAMPAN to come together as one, since Ibadan Archdiocese is the Head of the Province.

Vote of thanks was given by the Planning Committee Chairman, Dr. Paul Emokhare, in which he appreciated His Grace for his permission throughout the celebration of the 59th World Communications Day activities that ran for a week. He also appreciated all invited guests as well as members of Media Practitioners and the Cathedral Community for their hospitality. There was snapping of group photographs with the Archbishop after the Mass.

At the reception, which was held in the Hall, there were readings of goodwill messages after the Director’s welcome address by Media Practitioners in attendance.

Speakers also condemned circulation of fake news as they appealed that Communicators embrace the culture of facts-checking, since there is need to be truthful in order to be successful.

Suggestions were also made on how the Archdiocesan Newspaper, the Catholic Weekly Independent can record more patronage. The task was given to the Director of Social Communication to work on.

The event also witnessed drama presentation by CAEAN, Ibadan to buttress on the need to know the source of whatever information at our disposal before sharing same.

The gathering also acknowledged the efforts of the Late Director of Social communications, Rev. Fr. Anthony Akiwowo, as a minute silence was observed in his honour.

Comrade Cosmos Oni gave a vote of thanks at the reception after refreshment, followed by the closing prayer said by Very Rev. Fr. Julius Akinyode and final blessing by the Archbishop, who also declared the 2025 Comweek closed.