World Communications Day: Cleric wants Nigerians to indulge in constructive communication

Pope Francis has asked Nigerians to engage in constructive forms of communication which rejects prejudice towards others. Pope Francis made disclosure on Sunday at the 51st World Communications Day held at the Mary Queen of Angels’ Catholic Church, Akure.

The event has the theme ‘Fear not am with you: Communicating hope and trust in our time.’

The Pope, whose message was read by Vicar General of Ondo Diocese, Rev Fr Adewale Ojo, also urged people to foster a culture of encounter which would help everyone view the world with realism and trust.

“I am convinced that we have to break the vicious circle of anxiety and stem the spirit of fear resulting from the constant focus on ‘bad news’ (wars, terrorism, scandals and all sorts of human failure).

“I would like, then, to contribute to the search for an open and creative style of communication that never seeks to glamourize evil but instead, concentrate on solutions and to inspire a positive and responsible approach on the part of its recipients.

“I ask everyone to offer the people of our time storylines that are at heart “good news”,” he said.

Daisi Ajayi, the president, Catholic Media Practitioners Association, Ondo Diocese, urged media practitioners to foster a culture of encounter.

“We must endeavour to offer the people storylines that are at heart, good news by developing confidence in the seed of the kingdom at the same time relying on the Holy Spirit,” he said.

Similarly, Mr Kayode Ajulo, the Chairman of the occasion, praised the church for having an occasion which could not be compared to others.

He enjoined the media to stop promoting bad news, but start propagating good news which would develop communities.