Nigeria to Host Catholic Communications Assembly for Africa
By Patience Ikpeme
Come November 2023, Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial center, will play host to Catholic Bishops and communication experts from all over Africa.
The gathering is to mark the 50th anniversary of the Pan African Episcopal Committee for Social Communications (CEPACS).
Bishop Emmanuel Badejo, President of CEPACS and Bishop of Oyo Diocese, confirmed that the event will take place between November 18 to 21, 2023.
The event will be attended by the Bishop Chairmen from each region of Africa, including the Standing Committee of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM).
Others will be invited dignitaries from various communications outfits and schools across Africa and abroad.
Founded by SECAM in 1973, CEPACS was tasked with promoting the use of modern mass communications as a tool for evangelism in the African Church.
To ensure a seamless 50th celebration, Bishop Emmanuel Badejo has constituted a Lagos Local Organizing Committee (LOC), consisting of adept Communications experts, clergy, lay faithful, and other Church functionaries, who have been charged with the responsibility of making the event exceptional for the participants from the eight regions of Africa.
The LOC is headed by Sir Robert Soji Olagunju, KSG, founder, and chairman of Lumen Christi Television Network, while Mr. John I. Nejoh, a renowned Chartered Accountant, serves as Secretary.
The event is highly anticipated by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and the Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins, who is pleased with the choice of Lagos as the venue.
The Thanksgiving and Opening Mass will be held at Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos, and broadcast live.
