Introduction
The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Communicators, Media and Database Officers’ Conference met under the guidance of the Holy Spirit at the Ilesa Anglican Heritage City, Ilesa, Osun State, hosted by the Diocese of Ilesa from Tuesday, 24th – Friday, 27th June 2025. The theme of the conference was “Proclaiming Christ through the Media in times like this” (Colossians 1:28). The meeting was graced by His Grace, the Most Rev’d Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba, DD, Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), ably represented by the Most Rev’d Williams O. Aladekugbe, Ph.D., the Archbishop of Ibadan Province and Bishop of Ibadan North Diocese.
In attendance were 180 delegates, both on-site and online. This year’s edition featured the inclusion of Data Management Officers, who are on a special assignment to register the clergy in the Church of Nigeria and handle other such database-related assignments.
The formal Opening Ceremony was presided over by the Archbishop of Ibadan Province and Bishop of Ibadan North Diocese, the Most Rev’d Williams O. Aladekugbe, Ph.D., who represented the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion. The conference was also graced by the presence of the host Bishop, the Bishop Theologian of the Church of Nigeria and the Bishop of the Diocese of Ilesa, the Rt. Rev’d Prof. Dapo Asaju; the Bishop of Ife Diocese, the Rt. Rev’d Olubunmi Adeyinka Akinlade, who served as the Theme Expositor; the General Secretary of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Ven. Dr Gershinen Paul Dajur; and the former Board Chairman of Advent Cable Network Nigeria (ACNNTV), Sir Folu Olamiti.
At the end of the conference, the Communicators, Media and Database Officers issued the following communiqué: Theme Exposition: “Proclaiming Christ through the Media in times like this”
(Colossians 1:28) Like Paul and Epaphras, today’s Church communicators must creatively harness every modern medium—social platforms, visuals, timely and grace-filled messages, to proclaim Christ, disciple diverse audiences, and prepare the world for His return (Col. 1:28).
The Conference, therefore:
- Affirms that Communicators are the official voice of the Diocese or Parish and must always represent the Church with accuracy, positivity, and integrity;
- Directs Communicators to create, control, and manage official communication platforms to effectively represent their Dioceses or Parishes;
- Encourages Feedback Mechanisms to foster engagement, monitor perception, and evaluate audience impact;
- Mandates Communicators to manage crises and tensions tactfully by networking, synergy, and being vigilant gatekeepers of their media spaces;
- Emphasises Audience Demography, urging media and database officers to understand their audience for relevant and targeted messaging;
- Warns Against Doctrinal Errors, urging communicators to avoid teachings not backed by Scripture and to always edit and verify information before publication;
- Highlights the Importance of Presentation, stressing that communicators must dress decently and communicate using relatable, respectful language;
- Urges the Church to Embrace Artificial Intelligence, promote digital literacy, teach media and communication basics, and AI in theological institutions, and train members in its use while remaining alert to ethical risks;
- Tasks Communicators with defending the leadership of the Church from public misrepresentation and guarding against errors in media content;
- Warns Media Teams to resist financial inducements that may compromise the Church’s mission or propagate heresy;
- Calls for Unity and Collaboration among media officers across dioceses to promote synergy in spreading the gospel and defending the faith;
- Encourages Digital Engagement, including the opening of official social media accounts, the use of online adverts, and strategic promotion of Church programmes;
- Supports Youth Inclusion, and addressing their exodus, recommends that youths be allowed and guided to use their devices for Bible study, debates, research, and online meetings;
- Recommends Every Diocese to appoint Communicators, Media Directors, or Public Relations Officers, and establish data management and historical archiving teams;
- Urges Self-Development among media officers to stay current with evolving communication trends and digital tools, calling for training in new technologies and communication ethics to enhance effectiveness in media evangelism;
- Advises Church Leaders to prioritise spirituality, professionalism, and integrity when appointing media officers;
- Calls for Every Diocese to link up with and patronise Advent Cable Network Nigeria (ACNNTV), not just broadcast on social media, as ACNN provides various flexible airtime options and reaches over 60 countries via satellite;
- Encourages Innovation by urging media teams to explore selffinancing strategies for sustainability;
- Demands Accurate Messaging, verification of information sources, urging officers to avoid assumptions and be clear, precise, and transformational in their messaging;
- Calls for a Multi-Platform Strategy involving print, electronic, and online media, and most importantly using our Advent Cable Network Nigeria (ACNNTV) to maximise reach;
- Encourages Indigenous Content Production, including translations into local languages and documentation of the Church’s historical data;
- Urges the Church to Nurture, not just reach people, through media that deepens spiritual growth and discipleship;
- Promotes a Collaborative Culture, including regular meetings, content development, training, capacity building, and joint media projects;
- Calls Church Leaders to Action, allocating adequate budgets for communication and IT departments, and supporting regular training and retraining of media personnel;
- Seeks that the mandatory clergy registration be given a deadline of 31st August 2025, and that training of new data management officers should be continuous;
- Commends the giant strides of the Bishop of Ilesa Diocese and urges more of such development in various dioceses, spiritually, structurally, developmentally, and in evangelism as seen in the Diocese.
Conclusion:
The Communicators and Media Officers of the Church have a divine and strategic mandate to proclaim Christ and disciple the nations through effective and faithful media engagement. The platforms are already available, let us make the most of them to advance the unchanging Gospel in our ever-changing world.
It is a reminder to be intentional and purposeful in the content we create and share on media platforms, always keeping the message of Christ at the forefront of our efforts, not personal promotion or debates that do not edify or glorify God.
“Enough of Pastors and Diocesan media personnel being influencers of trendy topics rather than being influencers of Christ’s truth – His birth, His works, His death, His victory, and His second coming.”
The Rev’d Canon Matthew Adesanmi Adeyeba
Chairman, Communiqué Committee
Engr. Korede Akintunde
Church of Nigeria’s Director of Communications
The Most Rev’d Williams O. Aladekugbe, Ph.D
Archbishop of Ibadan Province (Primate’s Representative)
