Archdiocese of Benin City Celebrates Education Jubilee: Calls for Holistic Formation in the Age of AI

-By Ruben Mario Brodrick 

​Benin City, Nigeria – The Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City marked the Jubilee of the World of Education on October 31, 2025, with a vibrant, well-attended event that brought together the educational community to reflect on the Church’s enduring role in shaping minds and morals. 

The celebration, held at the Immaculate Conception College, Benin City, drew over a dozen Catholic institutions—spanning primary, secondary, and tertiary levels—along with their formators, teachers, and members of the Alumni body. 

Activities for the Jubilee of the World of Education included Exposition/Rosary, Songs of Praise, and Benediction, setting a reverent and spiritual tone for the day.

​The Church's Indispensable Role in a Digital Age

​The central message was delivered in a homily by Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Andrew Ovienloba, President of the School of the Faith and Leadership of the Archdiocese, who represented the Archbishop. 

Speaking on the theme, "The Role of the Church in Re-inventing Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and Technological Insurgence," Fr. Ovienloba stressed that education is a "valuable world that remains the foundation of the dignity of every human being." 

He welcomed attendees on behalf of the Archbishop, who was unavoidably absent due to a clash of important schedules, but delegated him to represent him with the relevant message. Fr. Ovienloba stated, "Without education, man is a formless being, crude, and constantly in the state of nature... Without education every human being is a living dead."

 He emphasized that the role of the church in the history of education across centuries is unquantifiable, representing the teaching modicum of the Church’s mission to be salt of the earth and light of the world (Matt. 5:13). In today's world, where education has become too much focused on the language of the ends justifies the means, the Catholic Education remains "a voice in the desert," where the "formation of the total human person is constantly peered with academic excellence."

 He quoted Pope Leo XIII, calling Catholic education a "laboratory of discernment, pedagogical innovation, and prophetic witness."

 Drawing upon the readings from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 9:1-6 and the Gospel of Luke 14:1-6, Fr. Ovienloba issued a profound challenge to educators. He noted that like St. Paul's passion for his kinsmen, teachers must ask if they recognize the human identity of the individual learner as a foundation for good education, what passion drives their profession, and if their educational contents liberates or conforms individuals to the stereotypical norms of the society. He warned, "One of the greatest dangers we have today is the risk of producing graduates across the board with good results but poor in morals and characters."

 Furthermore, he cautioned that the over-digitalization of the system, what he called the "age of artificial intelligence and Internet maniac syndrome," risks producing human robots. Fr. Ovienloba asserted, "Technology not well balanced with human presence risks producing human robots," and concluded forcefully: "Any education that does not build the totality of the person is nothing but a sham." 

In the words of Pope Leo XIV, Fr. Ovienloba reiterated that "technology must serve the human person and not replace him."

 Commendation and Call for Adherence to Tradition

​The event protocols acknowledged the key dignitaries present, including the Chairman of the Archdiocesan Jubilee of Hope Committee, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Charles Omogiate and his team, the Archdiocesan Vicar for Priest and Education Very. Rev. Fr. Dr. Anthony Ekhaisome, Very Rev. and Reverend Fathers, Consecrated Persons, Knights and ladies of the various orders, Catechists, Past Presidents of the Laity Council (CMON, CWO, CYON), and the Principals and heads of the various institutions of Learning.

​Earlier before the Mass of the Jubilee of the World of Education, the Chairman of the Jubilee Committee, Very Rev Fr Charles Omogiate, explained the true essence of the event while underscoring the importance of Education to the society. 

According to Fr. Omogiate, contrary to the popular saying in local parlance, "School na scam," the legacy of education can never be underestimated, pointing out that "knowledge once acquired can lead to both human and societal advancement."

​Meanwhile, the Vicar for Education in the Archdiocese, who is also the host principal of the college, Very Rev Fr Anthony Ekhasomi, however expressed displeasure over the fact that the Catholic students came to the event with what he described as a "Protestant Bible" for a Bible competition that ought to portray the Catholic church's teaching, while calling on the teachers to ensure that they bring up their students and wards according to the lay down Catholic tradition.

​Engaging Activities:

​The Jubilee of the World of Education also featured a well-articulated talk from a female religious from the Institute Sacred Heart of Jesus Congregation.

 Students from various schools also engaged in poem recitation as well as the engaging "Draw-your-sword" Bible competition amongst representatives from the various Catholic institutions present.

 Prizes were later presented to winners of the fastest Bible opening competition.