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Ambassador Fidelia Njeze,Former Minister of Aviation, has called for stronger cooperation between religious institutions and government, arguing that churches can help improve public administration and the living conditions of citizens.
She made the call in Enugu during the launch of the Church for Community Care and Good Governance (CCGG), an initiative established by the Catholic Institute for Development, Justice and Peace under the Catholic Diocese of Enugu.
She identified the church’s close connection with local communities as an advantage that could be used to address social challenges and promote development. According to her, cooperation between faith-based organisations and public authorities creates opportunities to reach people who need assistance.
The former minister cited the partnership between the Catholic Church and the Enugu State Government, led by Governor Peter Mbah, as an example of how religious institutions and government can work together to improve people’s lives.
She also stressed that churches should retain their independence to assess government policies and point out areas requiring improvement. In her view, religious organisations can contribute to better governance by offering constructive criticism without withdrawing from public affairs.
Project Lead of CCGG and Vicar for Public Relations of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Rev. Fr. Longinus Ugonwa, said the initiative was designed to translate religious values into practical benefits for communities.
Ugonwa explained that the programme would focus on meeting human needs, promoting justice and encouraging responsible citizenship. He clarified that the initiative was not affiliated with any political party and would neither campaign against nor promote individual politicians.
Chairman of Enugu East Local Government Area, Pastor Dan Anike, also welcomed the programme, saying collaboration between the church and government had contributed to development in the area. He cited the establishment of a Smart School, a primary healthcare centre and a dualised road as examples.
The event concluded with the unveiling of CCGG-branded materials and the formal commencement of the initiative alongside its Community and Civic Festival.
