It was my third time attending the annual Conference of Diocesan Communicators, and the serene atmosphere of the Crowther Retreat Centre in the bustling city of Onitsha provided an ideal setting for reflection and discussion. The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) instituted the annual gathering as a platform to strengthen engagement with the Great Commission — the very heart of the Christian faith: Christ’s command to “go into the world and preach the gospel.”
Beyond being just another conference, the gathering serves as a reminder that communication within the Church goes beyond sharing information among members. Communication is mission work. It is a tool for evangelism and for taking the Christian message to the wider world. That message has remained consistent over the years since the annual conference was instituted — from Ughelli two years ago, to Ilesa last year, and now Onitsha.
The emphasis reflects the vision of the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Archbishop Henry Ndukuba, whose leadership has continued to focus strongly on evangelism and youth engagement.
The theme of this year’s conference, The Watchman’s Trumpet: The Future of the Great Commission, was reinforced by the Bishop of Amichi, Ephraim Ikeakor, who outlined the strategic role of Church communicators as men and women called to stand in the gap. Drawing heavily from Ezekiel Chapter 33, he reminded participants of their responsibility as watchmen whose duty extends beyond church announcements to sounding the trumpet against the dangers of moral decline and social decay.
That message is particularly important in today’s world. We live in an age where narratives shape societies and digital platforms influence beliefs. The watchman’s trumpet must therefore sound with clarity and purpose, not only within the Church but also in the larger society. In a world increasingly shaped by what people read, hear and watch, communication without purpose risks becoming mere noise. For communicators in the Church, every message must in one way or another point back to the Great Commission; otherwise, as Bishop Ikeakor posited, “you have actually communicated nothing.”
Over the past 25 years, the Church of Nigeria has played a leading role in preserving biblical orthodoxy and defending the spiritual authority of the Church. Its voice has also been heard around the world. Through the difficult years that gave rise to GAFCON and tensions within the Anglican Communion, Nigeria emerged as one of the strongest voices advocating scriptural fidelity and doctrinal discipline.
From that crisis emerged a movement that sought to reclaim the core values of the faith, and the Church of Nigeria has remained at the forefront of that effort. From that moral high ground, Anglicans in Nigeria have continued to apply pressure against societal vices while recommitting themselves to redirecting the energy of young people toward more productive and meaningful pursuits.
Under Archbishop Ndukuba, that commitment has taken a more practical direction through renewed emphasis on biblical evangelism, discipleship and mission. His focus on young people through initiatives such as the Joshua Generation International Youth Conference, according to Archbishop Blessing Enyindah, Dean of the Church of Nigeria who represented the Primate at the conference, demonstrates an understanding that the future of the Church will depend largely on the generation it raises today.
The impact of the Onitsha conference will continue to reverberate across Nigeria and beyond. It was easily the most attended of all previous editions, demonstrating its growing relevance and the extent to which it has evolved into a platform where communicators build relationships, compare notes and share experiences. More importantly, it has become a valuable avenue for training and capacity building, equipping participants with communication skills and practical tools needed to engage more effectively and reach their target audiences.
Yet the 2026 Diocesan Communicators Conference was not all about speeches and doctrine. Delegates also had the opportunity to see some of the Diocese on the Niger’s developmental projects.
One of such projects is the University on the Niger, the impressive institution gradually taking shape at Umunya. Nearby, the historic Iyi-Enu Mission Hospital, with foundations dating back to 1913, has been transformed into the university’s teaching hospital, representing a bridge between the Church’s educational and healthcare missions.
Led by former Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, as Vice Chancellor, the University on the Niger appears determined to establish itself quickly. It already offers programmes in areas such as Law, Medicine and Surgery, Computer Science and Information Technology. Interestingly, it is among the few institutions in Nigeria already offering Artificial Intelligence as a degree programme. With about 20 courses and a policy requiring students to reside on campus, the institution appears designed not only to provide education but also to shape character.
UniNiger, as it is popularly known, will be Professor Nebo’s fourth appointment as Vice Chancellor, having previously led Enugu State University of Science and Technology, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti.
As delegates departed Onitsha, one message remained clear: the vision behind the annual conference of Anglican communicators is increasingly yielding results. Though conceived by the Primate, it has evolved strategically through the efforts of Korede Akintunde, who served as the Church’s Director of Communications until last year when he was succeeded by Venerable Raphael Aderinwale.
At the heart of the vision is a simple but profound idea: the watchman must never be silent in a world crowded with competing voices and conflicting messages. The host Bishop, Owen Nwokolo, put it succinctly when he reminded Church communicators that they stand on the frontline of Anglican apologetics and must be prepared at all times to defend the position of the Church against societal pressures and moral challenges. After all, a trumpet that gives an uncertain sound prepares no one for battle.
Sheddy Ozoene is Communications Adviser to the Diocese of Enugu North.
