From: LAYI OLANREWAJU, Ilorin
The Catholic Bishop of Ilorin Diocese, Rev. Ayo-Maria Atoyebi, on Wednesday, tasked political office holders to use their position to serve the people.
Bishop Atoyebi stated this in an interview with newsmen shortly after a Mass to mark the “World Communication and Democracy day in Ilorin.
According to him, “Let us follow the example of Jesus Christ, who came not to be served but to serve others.
He noted that Nigeria and Kwara State could be better than what they are now.
The Bishop urged the federal and state governments to “let the salaries of the civil servants and entitlements of pensioners be duly paid. The Federal government N-Power programme should be adequately monitored so as to achieve the aim fir which it was set up, which was to empower and provide job opportunities for jobless citizens.
He disclosed that Pope Francis has chosen “Fear Not For I Am With You (Isaiah 43:5) communicating hope and trust in our time” as the theme of 2017 World Communication Day.
Bishop Ayo-Maria Atoyebi who was vaulting from Pope Francis message that events in the world carries a lot of bad news in headlines and on internet. He said we have to break the vicious circle of anxiety and stem the spiral of fear resulting from a constant ficus in bad news- wars, terrorism, scandals and all sorts if human failure. This according to him,does not mean we should switch off from bad news or ignore the human suffering around the world. Rather what Pope Francis is inviting us to do is to work’ at overcoming that feeling of growing discontent and resignation that can at times generate apathy, fear or idea that evil has no limits.
The Bishop said with Pope’s message called for positivity and responsibility in communications and reporting.