Nigeria’s Recent Protests “fight against symptoms”, Catholic Bishop Advocates for Addressing “origins” of Bad Governance

“If we all drastically and radically resolve to purge the foregoing bad spirits, as it were, from the depth of our hearts and minds, bad governance, and all other vices will vanish into oblivion forever,” he said. 

Referring to St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians and the First letter to Timothy, Bishop Ghieakhomo urged Nigeria’s elected leaders to serve selflessly, likening them to husbands who must love and sacrifice for their wives.

The Nigerian Bishop also called on those in authority to govern with love and sacrifice for the people, rather than for personal gain, just as Christ sacrificed himself for the Church. 

The Local Ordinary of Auchi Diocese since his Episcopal Ordination in February 2003 cautioned against despair in the life of prayer and fasting.

“Some have grown weary of praying for Nigeria, believing that the prayers are ineffective,” he said, and emphasizing the need for deep faith in the Most Holy Eucharist added, “We need to fast and pray more,” he said, adding is essential for bringing about the desired change.

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The Catholic Bishop, who will turn 67 in September expressed optimism about the future of Africa’s most populous nation saying it is impossible for God, who created the world from nothing, to be unable to save Nigeria from its current challenges.

He encouraged Nigerians to persist in their prayers, believing that with faith and dedication, their country will be healed from its afflictions.

“For this reason, as the Bishops, the fathers of the Church gather in our Diocese, they are here with Jesus Christ, salvage the Church and society by prayer of faith and fasting. So, let us pray and pray most fervently at all times; all will be well with us,” Bishop Ghieakhomo said at the start of the second CBCN Plenary meeting 2024, organized under the theme, “Salvaging the World with Jesus Christ, the Lord.”

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.