The Catholic Church in Nigeria says it is ready to take its anti-corruption fight in the country to the next level, now that the church has its own television station.
Patrick Alumuku, the Director, Catholic Television (CTV), said the station would aid the fight against corruption, as well as be a voice of the church in Africa.
“We are trying to share with Nigerians the fact that corruption can do so much harm and the absence of corruption can bring about so much development,”, said Mr. Alumuku, a Catholic priest, during a visit to CHAT 212 FM office in Abuja recently.
“We want to be able to show the positive values which we Catholics believe in.”
Mr. Alumuku said one of the strategies the Catholic Church is using to fight corruption is its Prayer For Nigeria Against Bribery And Corruption which he said is usually recited all over the country, and for almost two decades now.
Mr. Alumuku, who said the CTV would be completed and launched within the next five years, explained how it all started.
“We began this in a very small way with a programme on African Independent Television (AIT), called Light For The Nation. It is a programme aimed at making our own contribution towards a brighter future for Nigeria. We also have another programme called Faith In Action. It tries to tell the message that whatever you do, you have done nothing unless you positively affect your brother.
“We have been there for five years. We are looking at five years from now to be able to have our channel running.”
Mr. Alumuku said Africa was gradually gaining centre stage as a messenger of the gospel and that Nigeria could do a lot to foster the development of the gospel, using the mass media.
“For a long time the impression has been that the church and the Christian community were stronger in Europe. Interestingly, Europeans are (now) looking towards Africa for a renewed faith.
“We intend that the voice of the church in Africa be heard all over the world.”
He said the management of the station hopes to partner CHAT 212 FM in order to produce programmes that would boost Nigeria’s unity and foster the growth of the nation.
