Cross River Journalists in Abuja Dedicates 2025 Milestones to God…”Beginning 2026 with thanksgiving would bring Greater Blessings- Comrade Ogar

Oru Leonard 

Members of the Cross River Journalists Forum (CROSSJOF), Abuja, gathered on Sunday, February 22, 2026, for a thanksgiving service in appreciation of the achievements recorded in 2025, notably the successful launch of Panorama Magazine.

The thanksgiving Mass was held at St. John Catholic Church, Mararaba, where members, alongside their families, reflected on the forum’s journey, expressed gratitude to God for His faithfulness, and renewed their commitment to professional excellence in journalism.

In a statement signed by the Forum’s Secretary, Raphael Ekpang, the service provided an opportunity for members to thank God for the successes of the past year and to seek divine guidance and greater accomplishments in 2026.
Delivering the homily, Rev. Fr. Abraham Ayaku urged the faithful to embrace the Lenten season as a period of sincere repentance, reconciliation, and spiritual renewal. Drawing his message from Matthew 5:27–37, he emphasized the importance of obedience to God’s commandments, love for one another, and the need to avoid anger, insults, and actions that undermine unity and peace.
Fr. Ayaku further stressed that fasting without genuine repentance, forgiveness, and acts of charity towards the less privileged would yield no spiritual reward, calling on Christians to demonstrate their faith through practical expressions of love.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of CROSSJOF, Francisca Ogar, commended members for their steadfast support and commitment to the growth of the forum. She expressed optimism that beginning the year with thanksgiving would usher in greater blessings and achievements.
“It is always good to appreciate whoever is your helper; that way, your helper will do more for you. That is why we are here today to thank God for what He has been doing for the forum in the last 35 years, so that He will do more for us this year and in the years ahead,” she said.
Dignitaries present at the service included the Special Assistant on Media to the Governor of Cross River State, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche; NAWOJ National Vice-President, Zone D, Comrade Chizoba Ogbeche; Chairman Emeritus of the Forum and Director of Research and Strategy at NIDCOM, Mr. Gabriel Odu; former Special Assistant to the Chief Justice of the Federation, Don Bassey Awassam; Elder Sunday Ayami; and other members of the Forum.
The event concluded with renewed hope and a collective resolve among members to uphold professionalism, unity, and service in the year ahead.

(Crossjof Media)