28/03/2025
A COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF WUKARI HELD AT ST MARY CATHEDRAL, WUKARI, TARABA STATE, NIGERIA, FROM 24th - 28TH OF MARCH, 2025.
PREAMBLE
We, the Bishop, Priests, Consecrated Persons and the Lay Faithful of the Catholic Diocese of Wukari, held our
second General Assembly at St Mary Cathedral, Wukari from 24th - 28th March, 2025. Having prayerfully
reflected and deliberated on the theme: THE CHURCH OF WUKARI DIOCESE: ENHANCING
HOLISTIC AND SUSTAINABLE EDUCATION IN TARABA STATE, we hereby issue this
Communiqué:
1. GRATITUDE
We are thankful to God for the progress recorded in the diocese since its er****on on 13th April, 2023. We successfully celebrated the first anniversary of the er****on of our diocese on April 13t, 2024 which was marked with the ordination of three priests for the diocese and the subsequent ordination of four more on June
29th, 2024. Two of our priests marked and celebrated the silver Jubilee of their priestly ordination; Fr Joseph Vozinagwa on 27th September, 2024 and Fr Mark Ugbudu CSSp on 19th October, 2024. The diocese also recorded the creation of Chanchanji Deanery and six new Pastoral Areas in Donga, Chanchanji, Gembu and Takum Deaneries to further the work of evangelization in the diocese. We also successfully organized a pilgrimage of peace at St Peter Parish, Amadu, from 28th to 29th October, 2024 during which the Diocese was
consecrated to our Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary.
2. PEACE EDUCATION AS A PANACEA TO CONFLICT IN TARABA STATE
The need for peaceful coexistence in and among communities in Taraba State cannot be overemphasized, considering the devastating effects of crises in communities in the State, most especially in Southern Taraba.
Peace education which is a transformative process aimed at equipping individuals with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to foster a culture of peace, nonviolence and social justice which seeks to address the root causes of crises will help to eradicate the culture of violence in the state.
Therefore, we call on the government of Taraba State and all stakeholders to work towards including peace education in school curricula at all levels. In addition, sufficient teachers should be trained in that regard. This will help to eradicate prejudice, foster intercultural understanding and mitigate the negative impacts of the structural conditions that perpetuate violence. Also, peace education in schools will positively manage the behaviour of students, inculcate good morals and encourage peaceful coexistence.
3. CATHOLIC SCHOOLS AS MODELS OF QUALITY EDUCATION IN TARABA STATE
In the pursuit of educational excellence, Catholic schools in Taraba State exemplify models of quality education that combines academic rigour with holistic development. These schools foster nurturing environment that emphasize moral values, critical thinking, and community engagement. By juxtaposing faith-based principles with contemporary educational practices, Catholic schools do not only prepare students for academic success but also cultivate responsible and compassionate citizens. Our commitment to inclusivity and character formation serves as a benchmark for educational standards in the State, inspiring a collaborative approach to learning that benefits the broader community.
We advocate integral formation that emphasizes moral formation and academic excellence in all schools in Taraba State.
4. CHURCH AND STATE PARTNERSHIP IN PROMOTING QUALITY EDUCATION IN
TARABA STATE
The Catholic Bishops conference of Nigeria (CBCN) in their communiquè at the end of their First Plenary Meeting at the Divine Love Retreat and Conference Centre, Sabon Lugbe, Abuja, from March 8th to 14th, 2014 noted that "prior to the government take-over of schools in the 1970s, both the Church and the State were partners in education". As a result of the take-over, the initiatives of the Church were stifled, and the quality of education in Nigeria suffered setbacks.
The numerous problems affecting Taraba State, especially Southern Taraba are very obvious: ignorance, insecurity, poverty, discrimination, to mention but a few. We cannot confront these challenges without investing in the provision of quality education.
While the Church remains a religious institution, it however exists in the world that is secular in nature and should by nature of its human feature; enjoy the support of government. In Taraba State, the Church and State should collaborate in providing quality educational services to the people. We call on the government to return schools taken over from the Church as we also call on her to support the church by upgrading and sustaining
facilities in our schools. Also, the state should assist the Church in training and improving the welfare of teachers in our schools, bearing in mind that the beneficiaries are also members of the larger society.
5. CHURCH AND STATE COLLABORATION IN THE PROMOTION OF PEACE IN TARABA
STATE
Due to the devastating effects of crises in Taraba State, most especially in the southern part, the church and the State should collaborate in promoting peace in Taraba State through inter faith dialogue. Christians, Muslims
and adherents of the African Traditional Religion in Taraba State should establish inter faith peace committees to discuss and resolve conflicts. Community base peace initiative involving traditional rulers, youths and stakeholders in forms of peace campaigns, town hall meetings and workshops will go a long way in promoting
unity and peaceful coexistence.
The government should ensure justice and equitable access to resources by all in the state as a way of addressing some of the root causes of conflicts. In this regard, the government should ensure the return and resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their homes and provide adequate security for them.
6. GOOD GOVERNANCE AND SOCIAL EQUALITY
The sole responsibility of governing bodies is to meet the needs of all citizens as opposed to selected groups in the society. Elements of good governance include transparency, rule of law, accountability, sound policies,integrity, inclusiveness, and responsiveness to the needs of the governed.
Social equality is concerned with the promotion of government policies which enables all individuals within the society to have equal rights, liberties, resources and opportunities regardless of gender, social status, ethnicity or religion.
The Catholic Diocese of Wukari advocates the need to prioritize good governance and social equity as a means of promoting development, peace and an egalitarian society in Nigeria. These will also create a sense of true citizenship and loyal patriots in the country and eradicate corruption which is endemic in most institutions in the country. Good governance and social equality will lead to equitable utilization of God given resources which abounds in the country for the welfare of the citizens thereby eradicating poverty and hunger.
CONCLUSION
The progress we have recorded in the Catholic Diocese of Wukari since its er****on has given us hope that with steadfastness and dedication to its growth of our diocese, we shall achieve much more in the shortest possible time. May our Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the seat of wisdom intercede for us. Amen.
Signed: ………………………………………………………………………
Most Rev Mark Maigida Nzukwein
Catholic Bishop of Wukari
Very Rev Fr Simon Akuraga Chancellor
