Ahead of the 2027 common elections, the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, by the Catholic Institute for Development, Justice and Peace, CIDJAP, has rolled out measures to deepen good governance, civic education and lively citizen participation in Enugu State.
The initiative, referred to as Church for Community Care and Good Governance, CCGG, was unveiled at St. Theresa Catholic Church, Abakpa, Enugu.
The Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uche Ugwu, and the Chairman of Ezeagu Local Government Area, Hon. Vita Ndu, pledged help for the initiative, describing collaboration between the Church and authorities as important to neighborhood improvement and accountable management.
Ugwu stated the Church and the state authorities shared the duty of enhancing the welfare of the individuals, stressing that each establishments ought to work collectively to promote good governance.
Ndu, talking on the theme, “The Role of Faith and Priestly Leadership in Transforming Communities and Governance,” described service, empowerment and environmental transformation as elementary tasks of management.
He stated the precept of religion that cares and management that serves captured the essence of accountable governance, urging political leaders and the clergy to work collectively to enhance the lives of residents.
According to him, monks play vital roles in reworking communities, significantly on the grassroots, the place their affect and proximity to the individuals place them to contribute to social improvement.
Ndu urged monks to maintain their help for leaders dedicated to serving the individuals, noting that governance needs to be pushed by the understanding that public workplace is a duty to serve relatively than an avenue for private acquire.
He recommended the Catholic Church for establishing the initiative and pledged that his administration would help its goals and collaborate with different stakeholders to advance neighborhood improvement.
Earlier, the CCGG Project Lead, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Longinus Ikenna Ugonwa, stated the initiative was designed to bridge the hole between political leaders and the on a regular basis issues of residents.
Ugonwa clarified that CCGG was neither a political social gathering nor a platform for selling or attacking political personalities, however a non-partisan initiative dedicated to fact, accountable citizenship and the frequent good.
“We do not tell people what to think. We help them understand issues, ask informed questions, examine evidence and make responsible decisions,” he stated.
He defined that the initiative would deploy podcasts, radio programmes, interviews, documentaries, social media and neighborhood engagement to amplify residents’ issues, acknowledge real progress and encourage sensible options to societal challenges.
According to him, the target was not to embarrass authorities or public establishments however to promote constructive engagement between residents and leaders.
“Governance works better when people are informed and institutions remain open to dialogue,” he stated.
Ugonwa stated CCGG would collaborate with Church buildings, together with the Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), Diocesan Communication, Catholic Men Organisation, CMO, Catholic Women Organisation, CWO, and Catholic Youth Organisation of Nigeria, CYON, to promote civic education, cultural expression, expertise improvement and neighborhood participation.
In his welcome tackle, the CCGG Coordinator, Dr. Chinonso Opah, described the initiative as the start of sustained conversations, significant partnerships and sensible interventions to enhance communities.
Opah expressed appreciation to the bishops for his or her pastoral management and to the convener, Msgr. Prof. Francis Obiora Ike, for the imaginative and prescient behind the initiative.
