By Bridget Ikyado
Abuja – Mr Josephat Abaagu, the new Chairman of Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) of the Catholic Archdiocese, Abuja, says the organisation remains committed to the protection of human rights and promotion of justice and equity in the society.
Abaagu disclosed this during an interview with newsmen on Monday in Abuja.
“Our strategic priorities are geared towards the protection of human rights and the promotion of justice and equity as catalysts for peace and integral human development,” he added.
He said other areas include prison welfare services, promoting human development, democracy, civic education and community development.
According to him, the commission is also involved in peace building and conflict resolution, provision of health services, environmental protection and agricultural development.
He explained that the JDPC was established in 1994 to provide non-spiritual support to members of the church, focusing on education and conscientization of the people, who are the central focus of development.
“Our values are based on the Catholic Social Teachings which promote the basic principles of stewardship, compassion for the poor, protection of the human life, equality and the common good,” the chairman said.
Abaagu recalled that the commission had run into some difficult moments, which made it almost dormant.
“When two years ago, the present board was constituted, JDPC was in existence only by name, with hardly any activity. Indeed even staff salaries were unpaid.
“The new board, under the leadership of Sir DD Dodo, SAN, completely overhauled the commission.
“We borrowed our seed fund from the Archdiocese to fund our first Lenten Campaign which is supposed to be the main source of funding for the commission.
“From then on, it has been one initiative to another,” he added.
He thanked all those who supported the revitalisation of commission.
“We will continue on the trajectory of more partnerships, more initiatives and more collaborations.
“Luckily, we have excellent team spirit at the commission and already, even as we will miss the leadership of my predecessor, my colleagues are excited that the succession is in-house,” Abaagu said.
The Archbishop of Abuja, Ignatius Kaigama announced the appointment of Abaagu as substantive chairman of the commission after Dodo stepped aside.
He praised the former chairman for his great work of resuscitating the commission within two years of his stewardship.
Abaagu was vice chairman of the commission before his elevation. (NAN / vitalnewsngr.com)
