President Goodluck Jonathan has called on the Church to partner with Governments in Africa to build the political structures that would make for a better continent.

President Jonathan made the call yesterday in an address presented at the 6th Convocation of the Catholic Institute of West Africa (C1WA) in Port Harcourt.

The President, who was represented by the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, noted that the democratic structures in many African countries were still evolving as there was dilapidation of basic infrastructure compounded by a disenfranchised people owing to unfulfilled promises.

The President, who acknowledged the contributions of the Catholic Church to human growth, sustainable development and capacity building of African countries, said a significant number of statesmen, politicians, educationists, renowned scholars among others in Africa were products of Catholic Educational System.

He pointed out that it was a thing of joy and pride to Nigerians that Port Harcourt was chosen to host the Catholic Institute of West Africa, which he described as a highly distinguished Ecclesiastical Institute in English-speaking West Africa.

President Jonathan said the institute could intensify its efforts in forming and shaping the consciences of the people to embrace good and shun evil, and engineer the political education of the people as well as make its theology more problem-solving and life giving”.

The President congratulated the graduands for the successful completion of their academic career, and urged them to do all within their power to contribute meaningfully towards the building of a vibrant African nation where the Millennium Development Goals are realisable.

The Chancellor of the CIWA, Theodore Cardinal Sarr, described the convocation ceremony as heartwarming, adding that the institute was established 29 years ago to train ecclesiastical students to expand the scope of evangelism in West Africa.

On his part, the Pro-Chancellor of CIWA, Most Rev. Joseph Bagobiri said the vision of the Catholic Church was to develop the institute into a multi-faculty university that would be second to none in West Africa.

Also speaking, the Rector of CIWA, Very Rev. Monsignor Felix Adeigbo, said the 6th convocation of CIWA was a celebration of success, and thanked the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi for his support as well as those who have contributed to the growth of the institute.

Highlight of the occasion was the award of Doctorate, Licentiate, Masters, Bachelors Degrees, diplomas, certificates to the graduands as well as conferment of Pontifical Honours on some Eminent Nigerians, which include the National Chairman of the Ruling Peoples Democratic Part (PDP), Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo.