Emmanuel Ogoigbe, Warri
The Supervisory Bishop and Chairman of the Delta State Bishops Forum of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS), Archbishop Ifiokabasi Udo, has called for stronger collaboration between the Church and the media to promote truth, love and moral values in society.
Archbishop Udo made the call on Saturday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Warri Chapel, Delta State, while delivering a goodwill message to journalists during an interactive session.
He commended the NUJ Warri Chapel for its sustained support to the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, particularly in partnering to amplify the message of the “Brotherhood Half Hour” radio programme.
According to him, the present challenges facing Nigeria and the world at large demand a united front between spiritual leaders and media practitioners in shaping public conscience and restoring hope.
Speaking further, the Archbishop said the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star was deeply grateful to journalists in Warri for their professionalism and commitment in projecting messages centred on life transformation, divine healing and moral reawakening.
He described truth as a shared responsibility of both the Church and the media, citing biblical principles that emphasise truth as the foundation of freedom and societal stability.
Archbishop Udo noted that the core values of the Brotherhood love, faith and hope remain critical in addressing the growing moral decay, violence, corruption, misinformation and intolerance confronting society.
He lamented that families were under increasing pressure, youths were becoming disoriented, and truth was often sacrificed for convenience or material gain.
The cleric warned that the decline of love in society poses grave dangers but stressed that despair was not the answer, adding that sincere collaboration between the Church and the media offers a viable solution.
He said while the Church provides moral guidance and values, the media possesses the power to amplify messages, shape narratives and influence public perception.
According to him, responsible and ethical journalism, anchored on truth and love, can help curb fake news, hatred, extremism and moral collapse, while promoting peace, unity and integrity.
Archbishop Udo urged journalists to continue speaking the truth with love, noting that truth without love could wound, while love without truth could mislead.
On behalf of the Delta State Bishops Forum and the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, he reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to sustained partnership with the NUJ Warri Chapel in spreading messages of love, faith and hope across Delta State and beyond.
He also formally invited journalists to the maiden Delta State Bishops Forum Conference and Retreat scheduled for March 2026, describing it as a platform for spiritual renewal, dialogue and engagement on the role of faith, leadership and the media in nation building.
