Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Vatican City, Rome, Francis Cardinal Arinze has advocated for the promotion of televised debates during elections in Nigeria as a way of strengthening the country’s democracy.
Cardinal Arinze stated this during a lecture he delivered during a visit to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam.
In his lecture titled, “Promoting Social Responsibilities and Ethical Conduct,” Cardinal Arinze stated that televised debates, like in developed democracies, would give the electorate the opportunity to decide which candidate they want and also have opportunities to ask probing questions.
The Catholic Prelate also charged universities, as ivory towers and centres of research and learning, to help in the formation of leaders who cannot be bought while governments and politicians should allow the universities exercise their right of expression irrespective of party affiliation.
He said any academic who is indifferent to the truth has betrayed his or her calling urging them not to fail in their responsibilities to students and the society at large.
Taking the lead in the tree planting campaign of the university ahead of its Climate Action Summit, the Cardinal planted four trees in the campus which he said symbolised faith, hope, love and blessings for the university community.
Acting Vice Chancellor COOU, Prof Kate Omenugha in her remarks expressed great delight at the visit of the Cardinal to the institution describing him as a role model whom many people are looking up to globally. She said the university under her watch is rebranding and setting agenda in various ways through its missions of Values, Viability and Visibility.
Prof Omenugha said the university is taking a bold step towards sustainable future with the insightful climate change summit and tree planting exercise in line with Governor Chuma Soludo’s clean and green project in Anambra State and promise of a livable and prosperous homeland.
