Nigeria in Need of True Leadership, says Onaiyekan
The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, on Sunday lamented the present state of the country, saying the nation was going through a period of political emergency and hence in urgent need of true leadership.
Onaiyekan stated this in a homily delivered at the first 2018 Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) in Abuja.
He said that there was an urgent and serious need to salvage the country and give its youths hope of a better future.
He said, “Yes, our country is in a state of uncertainty and confusion. A few things are going well. They tell us that they are doing their best. But a lot still needs to be done and too many problems have been left to fester,
“Our nation surely deserves far better than it is now getting in terms of good governance, social justice and peace and minimum of well-being of our people.”
According to the cleric, “Our present government came into power three years ago with a promise to change Nigeria for the better in all aspects.
“So far, government has spent so much time and energy demonising its predecessor that it seems to have forgotten its promises of a better life for Nigerians.
“It has unfortunately allowed the initial massive goodwill it enjoyed to be depleted almost to non-existence. It is no wonder that many Nigerians are looking for a new political organisation that can truly bring about genuine change for the better.
“Whatever we do, we must not allow despair and frustration to overwhelm us. Our problems are well within our ability to confront and resolve.”
On his part, CBCN President and Archbishop of Jos, Ignatius Kaigama, called on the federal government to see the Catholic Church as partner in bettering the society.
Kaigama said youths and women empowerments, welfare of prisoners were a priority to the church, and promised to remain sensitive to the plight of the poor and the socially deprived in the society.
“This we do quietly and in accordance with the gospel standards that we should not blow our trumpets while doing good and so we try to avoid publicity in the media except when necessary.
“We offer social services to millions of people throughout the cuntry based on our gospel conviction that it is better to light a candle than cursing the darkness,” he said.
Kaigama whose two term tenure comes to an end with this session, commended the bishops for their support throughout his tenure as the CBCN, President.
Follow us on Twitter
