By Babatunde Tiamiyu
The Archbishop of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province and the Bishop of Ibadan North Anglican Diocese, His Grace, the Most Rev’d (Dr ) Williams Oluwarotimi Aladekugbe has advocated for the needed support for Nigeria media for them to perform excellently and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria unity, progress and development
Archbishop Aladekugbe message was contained in the press release issued and signed by Ibadan North Anglican Diocesan Communicator, Chief Ayoade Solomon Olugbemiga during Ibadan North Diocesan Media Department maiden Retreat at the Cathedral of St Peter, Aremo Ibadan, Ibadan on Saturday
On our part as Ibadan North Anglican Diocese,we are fully prepared to empower our Media Department for the body to perform optimally particularly in the spread of Jesus Christ gospel and adequate coverage of the church activities
Talking on the theme of the retreat tagged,”Church Media as a Ministry”, Rev’d Canon Felix Adeoye from Christ Anglican Church, Akinfenwa, Ibadan said the services of journalists are priceless considering the risks they bear in performing their duties which include insecurity of their lives and poor renumeration
Describing God as a Communicator (Hebrew 1:1)Canon Adeoye encouraged journalists to go about their duties not laying much emphasis on financial reward but instead waiting on the Lord for His compensation and provision which is beyond the expectation of any man
In his lecture during retreat titled ” Media Ethics , Discipline and Service flow,the Co- Ordinator of the Ibadan North Diocesan Media Department, Rev’d Peter Oluwatayo disclosed that Diocesan Media Department is a n integral part of the church not only to perform technical duties alone but a Ministry entrusted with a sacred responsibility of supporting the gospel, communicating the gospel clearly and enhancing the spiritual atmosphere of the church
In his words, “Every media worker is a minister of God called to serve God with skill, discipline, humility and reverence”, the lecturer concluded
The retreat sponsored by the Lord Bishop of Ibadan North Anglican Diocese and the Archbishop of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province, Dr Williams Oluwarotimi Aladekugbe featured Bible study,lectures, practical workshop, prayers among others
Apart from the retreat participants drawn from all Archdeaconries within the Diocese, others in attendance were the Provost of Cathedral Church of St Peter,Aremo, Ibadan who doubles as the Patron of the Diocesan Media Department Very Rev’d Samuel Kayode Olawoyin,Rev’d Oguntimehin, Diocesan Communicator Chief Ayoade Solomon Olugbemiga,the chairman correspondent chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists Oyo State Council Mr Yinka Adeniran and other dignitaries
