Adopt Cardinal Okpaleke’s model to end hunger, Catholic Church urges Nigerians

The Catholic Church has called on Nigerians to combat hunger and foster societal transformation by embracing the “Okpaleke Model,” which promotes self-reliance, community engagement, and equitable resource use.

The Church made this known in Abuja on Wednesday at its 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Seminar.

Supreme News reports that the AGM was organised by the Department of Church and Society, Catholic Secretariat of Nigerian (CSN).

The theme of the meeting was “Promoting Catholic Social Teaching as a Vehicle for Socio-economic and Political Reorientation in Nigeria.”.

The Secretary General, CSN, Rev. Fr. Zachariah Samjumi, urged Nigerians to plant their own food for traditional celebrations and share their harvests with others.

Samjumi, who was represented by the Deputy Secretary General, CSN, Rev. Fr. Michael Banjo, said that practical action was crucial for addressing hunger and social challenges.

He said that practical actions like community farming initiatives to address hunger and poverty would go along way toward addressing the issue of hunger in the country.

“Advocacy is good, but it must be matched with action. Ask yourself, ‘What am I doing?’ Even in small spaces, plant vegetables or corn and share the harvest. This is how we can build a better Nigeria.

“If there is hunger, it is because we are keeping more than we need. Let us plant, share, and rebuild Nigeria together,” Samjumi said.

He said that the persistence of hunger reflected a violation of the universal destination of goods, which asserts that resources were meant to benefit all.

He further said that the importance of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) in Nigeria focused on principles such as human dignity, common good, subsidiarity, and solidarity.

He urged participants to actively contribute to societal transformation by applying CST principles in their communities.

He also urged Catholics to leverage their influence, resources, and over 40 million members—6,000 priests and 87 bishops—to drive socio-economic and political reform.

“Our faith must extend beyond church walls. We must evangelise parliaments, political parties, and leaders to align policies with the common good,” Je said.

He, however, challenged Catholics to take bold steps in reshaping society.

Episcopal Chairman and also the Archbishop of Lagos, Most Revd. Adewale Martins, said that the event aimed to bring together coordinators from various dioceses, emphasising the power of unity and shared responsibility.

Martins, who was represented by Rev. Fr. Uchechukwu Obodoechina, Executive Secretary, Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria (CCFN), and Director, Department of Church and Society, CSN, said that there was strength in coming together.

He encouraged participants to support each other across different sectors, such as education and health, fostering a collaborative spirit without fear of competition

He urged members to amplify their voices for positive change, adding that despite challenges, the society remained committed to its mission of advocacy and community support.