By Joy Odor
The National President, Catholic Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (CAMPAN), Comrade Chimdi Oluoha has mandated it’s members to devote time to undergo trainings on the concept and application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as it evolves to facilitate professional ethics, excellence and the common good.
The CAMPAN President gave the charge in his speech delivered at the 58th 2024 World Communication Day (WCD), celebrated all over Catholic Church in the world with the theme: “Artificial Intelligence and the Wisdom of the Heart: Towards a Fully Human Communication.”
Comrade Chimdi informed that undergoing trainings on the concept and application of AI would enable the members to learn how to apply AI technology as a useful technology in delivery of services in communication and other fields.
CAMPAN President explained that this year’s event is coming at a time when a new National Executive Council elected during the 15–18 April, 2024 National Convention at Issele Uku commited to improving on the foundations laid by the previous NECs.
Comrade Chimdi affirmed that CAMPAN constitution Review, standardization of communication tools for better public image, relevance in the church, and the public space shall be fundamental in its activities going forward.
He quoted the President, Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBN) Archbishop Lucius Ugorji lecture entitled Artificial Intelligence: Challenges and Opportunities For Evangelization and Social Development who said despite its enormous benefits, the deployment of AI technology should be approached with ethical rigour… mindful of ethical and moral dilemmas…,risks such as job displacements, threat to peace in the world, spread of false hood through propaganda, manipulation of the human person and privacy concerns through advanced hacking and deep fakes.
“The paper was presented at the maiden Public Lecture to mark the Communication Week, organized by the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria in Abuja on Wednesday 8th May 2024).
“On behalf of the National Executive Council of the Catholic Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria, I extend warm felicitations to all Communication practitioners as we celebrate the 2024 World Communication Day. We thank God for keeping us alive to be part of this year’s celebration.
“From the 5th of May, 2024,Catholic Communication practitioners in Nigeria have been engaged in various activities lined up to celebrate this annual event.
“These activities include advocacy visits, lectures and media presentations which highlight the importance of media literacy, and more specifically discussed this year’s
“No doubt, Artificial Intelligence (AI)has come to stay and will continue to evolve as a useful technology in delivery of services in communication and other fields” he noted.
