By Fisayo Akinduro

As the world yesterday celebrated  Communications’ Day, Nigerians have been enjoined not to entrust the nation to those that would defraud it.

They were charged to elect credible leaders that will be presentable to international communities.

This is even as media practitioners were urged to stand firm, represent the country well and fight for what is right.

The Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Most Rev’d Jude Arogundade gave the charge yesterday during the 2022 World Communications’ Day celebration at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Akure.

Speaking on the theme of the celebration from the Pope’s message: “Listening With The Ear Of The Heart”, Bishop Arogundade said our past must help us determine our future as we begin to think with the ears of our hearts.

The cleric said the whole world is waiting for Nigeria to elect her president, hence the need to elect credible leaders.

While bemoaning the present crop of leaders in Nigeria, he said some leaders are incapable of representing the country at international community.

The Bishop said being a political party delegate has become a lucrative business in the nation as votes are being bought.

Also speaking, Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu who was represented by the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the state, Charles Titiloye said media practitioners should continue to be a shinny light to the society.

He said we must all come together as a nation on the need to put in better leadership for the nation in 2023.

While charging media practitioners on their line of duty, the governor said he would continue to stand firm with media in the state, noting that both the government and media are partners in ensuring a better society.

In his address of welcome, the State Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ondo State council, Leke Adegbite said journalists would be at the forefront to re-echo to the people to choose the right leaders in the next election.

He appreciated Governor Akeredolu’s role in securing the state, noting that his efforts through Amotekun is yielding positive results.

The newly inaugurated chairman of Catholic Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria, CAMPAN, Sunday Ajongbola said his mandate was to have a good rapport with other practitioners in the state.

In his lecture, Prof Kenneth Alaneme said the day was set aside to reflect on the progress of communication on the communication sector and how well it has served to proclaim the good news of the church and the country at large.

He said listening with the ear of the heart means listening with an open mind, right conscience and love.

He said the church is asking us to do more of listening than speaking which is one of the requirements of effective communication.