The Ife Deanery Social Communication Commission has held its first official meeting for the year 2026 following the election of a new executive council late last year. The gathering, which brought together communicators from different parishes within the deanery, took place on Sunday, 8 March 2026, at SS. John and Paul Catholic Parish, Oranfe, opposite OAUTHC Phase 2, Ile-Ife.

Journalists of Akahi News gathered that the meeting commenced immediately after the Second Mass in the host parish. Members present used the opportunity to deliberate on the direction of the commission and the steps necessary to strengthen the communication apostolate within the Catholic community of the deanery.

Opening the meeting, the President of the Ife Deanery Social Communication Commission, Mrs Ruth Taiwo, welcomed members and acknowledged their commitment to the mission of evangelisation through communication. According to information obtained by Akahi News, the President noted that the meeting was initially expected to hold after the official inauguration of the newly elected executives.

However, she explained that the inauguration did not take place as earlier anticipated.

Despite this development, Mrs Taiwo stressed that the commission must continue its work without delay. She therefore proceeded to present the proposed programme of activities for the year, which had earlier been approved by the Chaplain of the Deanery, Rev. Fr Emmanuel Idowu.

During the session, she carefully read out the various activities scheduled for the year, emphasising their importance in strengthening communication, collaboration, and evangelisation across the different parishes within the deanery.

Akahi News learnt that the full details of the annual programme have already been uploaded on the official WhatsApp platform of the Ife Deanery Social Communication Commission. The move, according to the President, is intended to ensure that members who were unable to attend the meeting can still access the document and familiarise themselves with the proposed activities.

Observers at the meeting told Akahi News that the newly elected executive members appeared energetic and eager to begin their responsibilities. Their active participation during the meeting, many noted, reflected a renewed spirit of dedication within the commission.

In her remarks, Mrs Taiwo also charged parish coordinators across the deanery to update their parish membership records. She explained that accurate and up-to-date data would help the deanery executives identify active communicators currently participating in the commission’s activities.

According to Akahi News, the President stressed that maintaining proper records would improve communication, facilitate effective coordination, and ensure that members who are active within the commission are easily reachable whenever important information or programmes arise.

She added that such administrative steps are essential for strengthening the communication structure of the deanery and ensuring smooth collaboration among communicators.

Observers believe that the renewed emphasis on organisation and data management reflects a broader awareness of the evolving role of communication within the Church.

Indeed, as modern technology continues to transform the way information is shared, important questions emerge. How can Catholic communicators effectively harness digital platforms to spread the Gospel message? How can parish communication teams collaborate more effectively to strengthen the voice of the Church within local communities?

For many participants present at the meeting, the gathering served not only as an administrative exercise but also as a reminder of the wider mission of Catholic communication.

Communicators who spoke with Akahi News expressed optimism that the new leadership will introduce innovative ideas capable of strengthening the communication apostolate throughout the deanery.

They believe that with cooperation among parish coordinators, proper planning, and strong leadership, the Ife Deanery Social Communication Commission can play an even more significant role in evangelisation and community engagement.

As activities for the year gradually unfold, members of the commission and the wider Catholic community will be watching closely to see how the newly elected executives translate their enthusiasm into practical initiatives that benefit the Church.

For more updates on Church communication activities, community initiatives, and other developments within the Catholic community, readers are encouraged to follow Akahi News regularly.

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