Jacob BABALOLA (Staff Writer)

As the grand finale of the 2026 ComWEEK held at St. Mary Catholic Cathedral, Oke – Padi on Sunday 17th May 2026, the Archbishop, Most Rev. Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin has reminded all present that everyone is a communicator in one way or the other and as such; relevant actor in the theme of the 60th World Communications Day: “Preserving Human Voices and faces.”

The Archbishop presided over the Thanksgiving Mass alongside the Director of Social Communications in the Archdiocese of Ibadan, Rev. Fr. Anthony Ogunyale; the Assistant Cathedral Administrator, Rev. Fr. Anthony Fasakin and Rev. Oghenetega Efedoro with the Editor of Catholic Weekly Independent, Rev. Fr. Peter Ibimiluyi joining before the end of the Mass.

Also present at the Thanksgiving Mass were Media Practitioners in the Archdiocese, Media Teams from parishes, representatives of lay organizations in the Church, Catholic Artistes and Entertainers Association of Nigeria, CAEAN Ibadan, NUJ representative, Members of the Press and members of the Directorate of Social Communications.

The Chief Celebrant who welcomed all the Communicators prayed that God be protecting them and help them to communicate the truth for he said there is disunity in the society because of lack of the truth.

In place of homily, the Archbishop directed Fr. Fasakin to read the Pope’s Message for the 60th World Day of Social Communications, while he (His Grace) also listened to the message. He later described the message as very direct and simple and directed that the message be given the needed publicity so as to reach all parishes for the youth in the Archdiocese to sit down and reflect on it as key actors in AI tools usage.

Pope Leo XIV message encouraged all not to renounce human ability to think and also proffered a possible alliance based on three pillars of ‘responsibility, cooperation and education.’ It calls for urgent need to introduce media information and AI literacy into education system at all levels as already promoted by some civil institutions, even as it calls on Catholics to contribute to this effort so that individuals, especially young people can acquire critical thinking skills and grow in freedom of spirit.

On his part, the Director of Social Communications, Rev. Fr. Ogunyale stated that AI is not for lazy people but for those that are intelligent. He added that the problem Pope Leo stated in his message is not in AI tools but the users. He implored all to project Catholic faith using AI tools while at the same time preserving human voices and faces. The Director welcomed the Archbishop and thanked him for presiding over the Thanksgiving Mass. He equally appreciated all Communicators after which the Archbishop prayed and blessed all Communicators and their tools.

During the reception that followed in the hall, His Grace encouraged Catholics to bring up their children in Catholic faith. He reiterated that human touch is very important and can never be equated to relating on phone.

The Chief Shepherd of Ibadan Archdiocese also advised against being misled by misguided teaching while responding to youth movement from the Catholic faith to another. “This cannot be done by force or magic, but leave it for God who is the originator of the Church.”

Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of NUJ, Laity, CMO, CWO and CAEAN, Ibadan who presented its goodwill message in form of a drama, cautioning against being misled by AI tools.

In her vote of thanks, Amb. (Mrs) Edith Isidahomen on behalf of the Directorate of Social Communications thanked the Archbishop for his total support for the celebration of 2026 ComWEEK, which started with a Press Conference by His Grace on Tuesday, 12th May 2026 at PI as well as workshop thereafter. She appreciated the Advisers to the Directorate, Chief Kayode Williams and Pa Emmanuel Ogunyale and all the invited guests for the success of the celebration.

Those present were entertained with refreshment before the celebration was brought to a close by closing prayer said by Fr. Ogunyale and the blessing by the Archbishop.