By Olivia Obijiaku
The Catholic Bishop of Zaria, Most Rev Dr. Habila Tyiakonaboi Daboh has charged members of the just inaugurated Finance and Transparency Committee of his diocese, to discharge their duties with high sense of integrity, transparency and accountability. The committee was inaugurated alongside Cathdiza Integrated Farm Board and Land and Development Committee, during a Mass which he celebrated in Christ the King Catholic Cathedral (CKCC), Sabon Gari Zaria, on Thursday, August 7, 2025.
The bishop oriented them on the need to see their duties as stewardship to God and His people, and to build a culture of trust in leadership, in the Church and in God’s providence, reminding them of their moral and spiritual duties to ensure that every naira and kobo is accounted for, with integrity, clarity and transparency.
Among others, their duties include:
Ensuring financial integrity, accountability and transparency in the management of diocesan assets and to advice the bishop on moral/other matters relating to temporal goods of the diocese.
Advising the bishop on the preparation, implementation and review of all diocesan annual budgets.
Recommending investment strategies and financial policies.
Giving consent or opinion where required by Canon Law, regarding act of extraordinary administration (Can 1277).
Auditing and monitoring income, expenditure, and financial performance of the diocese.
Overseeing periodic internal and external audits of all diocesan institutions, parishes, schools and commissions.
Evaluating financial reports from all diocesan bodies and affiliated institutions.
Ensuring compliance, to applicable civil laws.
Recommending financial procedures and policies for parishes and diocesan bodies, including procurement, contracting and asset management.
Promoting practices in accounting, procurement and resource mobilization.
Ensuring transparency by ensuring timely publication of annual financial statements.
Encouraging capacity building, financial literacy for the clergy and parish financial councils.
Working with parish priests and finance councils to foster transparency.
Citing Can 471 paragraph 2, the local ordinary obliged them to maintain strict confidentiality on sensitive financial matters.
Members of the committee which will be headed by the Vicar General of the diocese, Very Rev Fr. Michael Pius Kagarko, include Fr. Suleiman Umoru, Sir David Barau, Bro Matthew Ezumezu, Lady Ann Unogu, Lady Stella Okolocha, Mr. Okoni Best and Mrs. Agom.
Similarly, the chief shepherd assigned members of the Cathdiza Integrated Farm Board to ensure that:
The farm operates efficiently and productively.
Resources, human and natural are well managed.
All financial transactions are documented and audited.
Workers are treated justly.
The farm contributes to the purse of the diocese, especially to care for the poor and educate the young ones.
Bishop Daboh disclosed that the farm belongs to God the Creator and to the diocese, imploring them to ensure that every seed sown, every harvest gathered, reflect both human effort and divine stewardship.
Members of the committee which will be headed also by Very Rev Fr. Michael Pius Kagarko include, Fr. Gabriel Garaje, Prof. Thomas Bidoli, Mr. Gabriel Owunnah, Mr. Ishaya Magaji, Mr. Bitrus Maiyaki, Mr. Sa’idu Yakubu, Mr. Ibrahim Tanko Bala and Prof Mrs. Mariam Katung.
