As the Ondo State Governorship elections draws near, the National Chairman, Action Democratic Party (ADP) Engr Yabagi Yusuf Sani has called on Ondo State electorate not to vote parties that has not improved their lots and has involved in crises during their primaries election because such parties cannot Govern them well.
Yabagi Stated this during the presentation of certificate of returns to the party Gubernatorial Candidate, Hon Ayodeji Emmanuel Akinnodi that held at the party headquarters in Abuja.
“Parties that cannot even organise primaries without crises cannot do anything good for the Ondo people, so my advice is for the voters to avoid this parties because they have nothing to offer”
“Our primaries election process was peaceful, and our statutory delegates gave him their unanimous support.
“We want to emphasize the transparency, fairness, and harmony of the primary election. We have not received any complaints since the results were announced, which speaks to the ADP’s unity and determination to reach our objectives. In contrast, the tumultuou s primaries of other parties serve as a cautionary tale for us. While they engage in internal conflicts, we remain dedicated to serving the interests of the people of Ondo State.
Other parties nearly torn apart by its own primary election to unite and effectively serve the public. A party plagued by internal discord cannot govern effectively or implement policies that benefit the populace. I encourage the citizens of Ondo State to consider their options carefully; a wrong choice could result in continued poor governance. We have repeatedly missed opportunities for positive change, and just when it seems we are making progress, we fall back into greater difficulties. Ondo State has the chance to lead by example and initiate genuine, meaningful change. I urge the people of Ondo State to be wary of parties embroiled in internal conflicts, those that fail to keep their promises, and those that cling to power without a commitment to service and public welfare. It’s time to move past the political parties th at have led us to poverty, frustration, and despair. I call on Ondo State to lead the way in Nigeria’s transformation by electing a dedicated, thoughtful, and charismatic leader. The time for change is now, and the ADP is fully committed to this journey. We will not waver until we reach our goal..
“With great pride, I present the Certificate of Return to a leader with vision and promise, the prospective governor of Ondo State” according to Yabagi.
In responding the Guber Candidate, Hon Ayodeji Emmanuel Akinnodi. Thanks the parties faithfuls for their support and promise to take Ondo State to greater heights, “ I said here now that within my two years in office the issue of electricity will be resolved if am elected as the next Governor of the sun shine State, Akinnodi said
[5/9, 3:50 PM] Emo Photo: Artificial Intelligence: CBCN call for balance that priorities human welfare alongside Technological progress, at CSN marks Communication’s week..
The President, Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, has call for caution and balance that will not affect humanity negatively as the world advance technology through artificial intelligence,
Ugorji stated this at the Maiden COMWEEK Public Lecture holding at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria( CSN) Resource Center, in Abuja
“Eminence, our special guest of honour, Bishop Chairman of the Directorate of Social Communication, CSN Secretary General, National Director of the Directorate of Social Communication, esteemed members of the Clergy, Consecrated Men and Women, Chairman of the occasion, guest speakers, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen., How wonderful and pleasant for us all Clergy, Consecrated Men and Women and the Lay Faithful to assemble in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, for this maiden COMWEEK Public lecture. I am delighted to behold the diverse assembly of participants at this programme, ranging from the Clergy, Consecrated Men and Women, Major and Minor Seminarians to secondary school students, youths, leaders of our lay organizations and the gentlemen of the press. I greet you all and welcome you to Abuja. As we gather here today, it is imperative to acknowledge our duty as Church to shed light on the burgeoning phenomenon of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Guided by Vatican II Decree on the Means of Social Communication, Inter Mirifica no. 2, we recognize our responsibility to educate the faithful on the positive and negative influences of the media. My role today is to present the keynote address. Much like an appetizer whets the appetite for the main course, this Keynote Address sets the stage for the rich discussions to follow, led by our esteemed resource persons, Since the establishment of World Communication Day in 1967, this celebration marks its 58th edition. We, the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria, have taken a proactive step by extending it to a week-long event known as ‘Communications Week’ which aims at providing media education for Christ’s faithful in Nigeria. We are proud to report the significant growth of this initiative as we celebrate its third edition. This inaugural edition of the COMWEEK public lecture represents another significant milestone. I extend my appreciation to the National Director of the Directorate for Social Communication, Fr. Michael Umoh, for spearheading the COMWEEK and for this first COMWEEK public lecture. Through this annual lecture, the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria, intend to create a forum where experts can discuss issues that concern not only the Church and her mission but also the broader welfare of society. It is a platform for exchanging ideas and amplifying the Church’s voice on matters that affect humans and society, beyond the usual communiqués we regularly issue, Our topic today, ‘Artificial Intelligence: Challenges and Opportunities for Evangelization and Social Development,’ underscores our commit.
only the moral and spiritual welfare of people but also their social and material needs. We wish to create awareness on the revolutionary positive impact on humanity and the society by AI, while raising the ethical concerns that arise from its abuse. The meaning of the term ‘Artificial Intelligence’ is indeed a subject of debate. Labeling it as ‘artificial’ suggests a replication or limitation, as it is derived from human intelligence. Despite its versatility and technological prowess, AI remains a facsimile of the original, namely human cognition. AI is a term born from advances in computer science and digital technology. It endows machines with the capacity for intelligent behavior through sophisticated algorithms. Today, computers can perform tasks traditionally requiring human intelligence, such as understanding natural language, recognizing patterns, learning from data, and making decisions. This has turned out to be a cause for joy and a reason for worry at the same time – joy because of the enormous positive possibilities as a result of the digital technology; and worry because of the grave life-defining dangers they pose at the same time, As we stand in 2024, AI has permeated various facets of life. There are evolving applications ranging from Multimodal AI processing of texts, images, and videos, to Customized Chatbots, which empower individuals to create AI models without coding expertise; AI Governance, which aids in administrative tasks; AI in Business, which optimizes operations across sectors, contributing to education, healthcare, and economic growth; and Ethical AI, which focuses on the moral principles guiding the use and development of AI. Likewise, it is instructive to note the advent of Magisterium AI, a technology created by and uniquely tailored for the Catholic Church. This exclusive application of technology aids in religious formation, pastoral care, and education, making theological knowledge more accessible, and enhancing the Church’s mission more than even before, despite the enormous benefits, the development and deployment of AI digital technology must be approached with ethical rigour. We must strive for a balance that prioritizes human welfare alongside technological progress, mindful of the ethical and moral dilemmas, as well as risks such as job displacement, threat to peace in the world, spread of falsehood through propaganda, manipulation of the human person, and privacy concerns through advanced hacking and deepfakes. The Church has ceaselessly emphasized that collaboration between AI experts and social development practitioners is crucial. Together, we can identify areas where AI can significantly contribute to the common good. At this gathering, we hope to learn from experts the responsible and ethical use of AI, not only to benefit society but also to support the Church’s evangelization efforts. Thus, AI should be a tool for empowerment and progress, not a source of division and destruction.6. In conclusion, as we stand on the cusp of a new era shaped by Artificial Intelligence, we are all called to be both shepherds and stewards; shepherds, to guide our flock through the complexities of this digital age; stewards, to ensure that the technology we embrace serves the common good and reflects our values. As my special contribution to this conversation on AI, I wish to stress that we need to walk this path with caution, wisdom, foresight, and a deep sense of responsibility. Echoing the mind of the Holy Father Pope Francis in his message for 2024 WCD, let us embrace AI not as a force that diminishes our humanity, but as a tool that amplifies our capacity for empathy, compassion, understanding, and service. AI is to build bridges, not barriers; to heal, not harm; to unite, not divide; to reinforce the image of God in humanity, not to destroy or replace it. Finally, I invite you all, ladies and gentlemen, to sit back and enjoy the special menu on Artificial Intelligence, as served by the body of experts we have engaged for this purpose.
