On the second day of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Church and Society Department, participants reconvened to review what was achieved on the opening day through a recap of activities, reflections, and participant feedback. The gathering, which brought together representatives from various units under the department, sought to determine how the Church could strengthen its civic engagement capacity and more effectively influence social transformation in Nigeria.
The day advanced with group discussions, where the five units deliberated on key questions around why Catholic participation in the 2027 general elections must be prioritised. Delegates examined strategies for improving election advocacy across CBCN departments, explored approaches to building stronger partnerships with Catholic politicians, and discussed methods for enhancing the implementation of Catholic Social Teaching across dioceses in Nigeria.
The first major presentation, titled “The Catholic Church and Legislative Advocacy: with updates from the CLLO Unit,” was delivered by the Catholic Legislative Liaison Officer- Vitalis Utsa of Caritas Nigeria, who highlighted why legislative engagement is increasingly important for the Church. His session emphasised the role of Catholic-led advocacy in shaping public policy and defending human dignity, grounded in the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, which promote the common good, subsidiarity, solidarity, and the protection of the poor and vulnerable
Subsequent presentations were led by internal units and partner organizations. Dr Michael Ibe, Programme Advisor for Institutional Capacity Strengthening, spoke on strengthening diocesan structures and improving operational efficiency to enhance program delivery. This was followed by Dr Justin Ekpa, Knowledge Management Advisor, who presented “Transforming Our Education System: A Digital Ecosystem Approach for Catholic Schools.” He explained how innovations in geospatial technology can support school management and improve educational standards across Catholic institutions.
A key highlight of the day was the unveiling of the book Spiritual Advocacy for Migrants and Refugees in Nigeria, authored by Fr. Augustine Akogba, PhD, Secretary of the Migrants and Refugees Unit. The Director of the Department, alongside Fr. Peter Audu, described the publication as a timely resource for strengthening pastoral and advocacy interventions targeting displaced and vulnerable populations. The day closed with remarks from Fr. Dominic Umo, Secretary of the Education Unit, who encouraged participants to turn discussions into action and drive meaningful outcomes beyond the meeting hall.
