A delegation of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) led by the Secretary-General, Rev. Fr. Zacharia Samjumi on the 13th of March 2024, paid a courtesy call to the British Deputy High Commissioner in Abuja, at Gill Lever1, to introduce the Director of the National Catholic Service Centre (NCSC) and discuss matters of mutual interest between the Catholic Church in Nigeria and the British government.
The visit began with formal introductions anchored by the Director of the CSN National Catholic Service Centre, Rev. Fr. Gordian Otu. Highlighting the relationship between the Church and the British government, Fr. Samjumi acknowledged the Commission's recognition of the role of religious institutions in society's overall growth. He also shed light on the functions of the NCSC, which include immigration, protocol, and travel, and cited the need for improved cooperation in these key areas to ultimately strengthen bilateral ties between both parties.
The High Commission's Political Counsellor, Tom Burge, who received the delegation on behalf of the Deputy High Commissioner, acknowledged the rich cultural and religious diversities of Nigeria and disclosed the Commission's efforts in enhancing religious freedom and mutual tolerance in Africa's most populous nation. Burge commended the level of cooperation among diverse ethnicities and religions, which strengthens national unity. As part of its advocacy for religious freedom and improved well-being, he added that the political section of the Commission would work through its political and development sections to support the CSN's Church and Society Department in promoting human rights and providing development assistance to vulnerable populations.
Illustrating the diverse ways the Church effectively handles human realities, particularly social justice and humanitarian issues, the Deputy Executive Secretary of @caritasnigeria, Rev. Fr. @PeterAudu, shared insights into the priority areas where the CBCN's specialised development and humanitarian agency works to reach out to vulnerable persons regardless of their creed, ethnicity, or gender.
The CSN Deputy Secretary General and Director of the Pastoral Affairs Department, Rev. Fr. Michael Banjo, and the Director of the Social Communication Directorate, Rev. Fr. Michael Umoh also shared valuable lessons on the benefits of harmony in diversity. The discussions were fruitful, with both parties expressing their commitment to ongoing engagement and cooperation in the promotion of national unity and development through religious tolerance, peacebuilding, and humanitarian relief initiatives.
