The First Plenary Assembly of the year of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) commenced on February 22 at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria with a Holy Mass presided over by Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, President of the CBCN and Archbishop of Owerri. The gathering brought together the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Michael Francis Crotty, Catholic bishops, priests, religious men and women, state dignitaries, and representatives of lay apostolate groups. The plenary, themed “The Common Good and Leadership in Nigeria,” seeks to reflect on national issues and strengthen the Church’s contribution to peace and good governance.
During the Mass, Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, Archbishop of Abuja, delivered the homily, addressing the current state of the nation. He highlighted persistent insecurity, hunger, and rising unemployment, and called for urgent, sincere, and people-centred leadership. With the 2027 general elections approaching, he urged political actors and institutions to ensure transparency, credibility, and accountability, stressing that electoral integrity is essential to national stability. He reminded the faithful that authentic leadership must be grounded in justice, compassion, and service to the common good.
The opening ceremony, chaired by Mr. Mike Omeri, followed immediately after the Mass and featured the Enthronement of the Holy Bible, symbolizing the central role of God’s Word in the deliberations. Among the dignitaries present was the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, alongside other distinguished guests. In his opening address, Archbishop Ugorji condemned ongoing killings in various parts of the country and decried illegal mining activities, emphasizing that leadership is a sacred trust that demands integrity and selflessness.
In his remarks, Archbishop Crotty underscored that the theme of the plenary directly addresses Nigeria’s pursuit of peace and shared prosperity. He commended the CBCN for courageously speaking truth and sustaining hope for the nation. He encouraged collective efforts to transform present challenges into opportunities for strength and unity. Goodwill messages were subsequently delivered by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria. The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, Vice President of the CBCN and Archbishop of Kaduna.
