By Olivia Obijiaku
The Chief Shepherd of the Catholic Diocese of Zaria, Most Rev. Dr. Habila Tyiakonaboi Daboh commissioned the Diocesan Secretariat of Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Nigeria (CCRN), of the diocese on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Lauding the group for the successful completion of the structure, which is located behind Sacred Heart Parish, Wusasa Zaria the local ordinary affirmed that by so doing, the CCRN in the diocese has made him proud, praying that the money and other resources, channeled into the project will yield many blessings from God.
The leader, however, urged them to strike a balance between structural development and love for one another, catechizing that good works without love end in futility. Speaking of St Athanasius, the saint of the day, who defended the Church against heresy, standing out clearly and openly to teach, preach and enlighten people about the stands of the Church, he, charged the charismatics to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth via their attitudes and behaviours, starting with their relationships with their neighbours.
“You have made me proud.” He declared. “I am personally delighted that this is happening in Zaria, where Habila Daboh is the bishop. I am personally delighted that I am here today for the blessing and the commissioning of this diocesan secretariat. I am glad. This is heartwarming. This is really encouraging. So, I want to thank you sincerely especially the leadership. You have done something so amazing. This is unique. This will not remain only in Zaria. It will go places.”
“This has gone into history. People will get to know that ‘khaki no be leather’. By the special grace of God, the money spent on this project will come back in different ways, especially the blessings that will be gotten from this secretariat. This is Zaria diocese, and as you have done this we shall do more. The God who blessed us to do this, will bless us to do more. We can have this secretariat, we can be here to pray and to receive the Holy Communion, but if we do not love one another, it is useless.”
Hinging on the day’s first reading in which Paul and Barnabas said that it was necessary that the Word of God should be preached first to the Jews, his lordship charged members to start the propagation of the Gospel with themselves, before reaching out to their neigbours, stressing that, “This is important for all of us.”
“On the last day, I will stand as Habila Daboh, not as Bishop Daboh. I will account for the people entrusted to me. And so, I will have to know the way I live my life; the way I go with the people God has given me. And so, if I preach, I should preach to myself first. Then after preaching to myself, I approach my neighbours, talking to them about the salvation given to us by God Himself.”
Welcoming the bishop to the Mass, the Diocesan Chaplain of the group, Rev. Fr. Mayere Habila disclosed how the bishop’s encouragement and support has continued to inspire and spur them into positive actions. He prayed that God may continue to protect, guide and strengthen him, even as he assured him of their prayers and support. He also thanked the group for working with him for the progress of the Church and the diocese.
In his welcome address, the Diocesan Coordinator of the group, Bro. Matthew Ezumezu also thanked the bishop for honouring their invitation. He appreciated thanked past and current Chaplains of CCRN in the diocese also, for nourishing and guiding them spiritually. He detailed how the project which was initiated by the then Diocesan Coordinator, Evang. Aplllos Ogbobe in 2011, during the episcopacy of the late Bishop George Jonathan Dodo, progressed from one administration to another till its resultant completion and commissioning, thanking everyone who contributed in one way or the other to the actualization of the secretariat.
