By Charles Igwe
In a momentous event held on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, the National Director of Communications, Rev. Fr Michael Umoh, was inducted as a Senior Fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Social Media Analysts. This prestigious recognition comes as a tribute to Fr. Umoh’s exceptional efforts in spearheading a massive media literacy campaign.
The Nigeria Institute of Social Media Analysts, a relatively new institution, was established with the mission of regulating the cultural landscape shaped by social media. Recognizing the profound impact of social media on contemporary society, the institute focuses on studying the cultural implications of digital media on individuals and communities. Social media analysts play a crucial role in analyzing both the positive and negative influences, driving media education initiatives to enlighten the public on this evolving phenomenon.
The media guru expressed his gratitude for the honour, emphasizing the unexpected recognition from a secular body with diverse societal membership. As a trained pastoral communicator and a U.S. Government-certified Media Literacy expert since 2012, Fr. Umoh highlighted his commitment to addressing the knowledge gap in communication and media within the Church.
The National Director of Communications outlined his proactive approach to media education, introducing Media Education in seminaries and initiating the Communication Week initiative.
Acknowledged not only by the Institute of Social Media Analysts but also commended by the Vatican’s Dicastery of Communications and the Pan African Episcopal Committee for Social Communications (CEPACS), Fr. Umoh’s efforts have garnered widespread acclaim.
Fr. Umoh stressed the importance of media literacy in today’s society, where literacy extends beyond reading and writing to include understanding, constructing, and deconstructing media texts. With the ubiquity of smartphones and internet access, the media educator likened the lack of media literacy to individuals having “loaded guns” without understanding their potential impact.
The Communication Week program in Nigeria, an initiative originating from the Nigerian Bishops and having its roots in the World Communication day which started in the Universal Church as far back as 1967, aims to address the challenges posed by the digital space. The week-long program precedes the World Communication Day and has gained momentum with each passing year. Fr. Umoh announced that the 2024 edition will run from May 5th to May 12th, continuing to empower communities with essential media education.
The social media specialist induction as a Senior Fellow underscores the significance of his contributions to media literacy, reinforcing the pivotal role of communication in the Church’s mission and the broader society. As media education remains a pressing need, Fr. Umoh remains steadfast in his commitment to fostering understanding and responsible engagement with the evolving digital space.
