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“It is only when our leaders do the needful that God will bless their effort”: Catholic Archbishop on Nigerians’ Plight

Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of Nigeria’s Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja. Credit: ACI Africa
Abah Anthony John

By Abah Anthony John

Abuja, 14 September, 2024 / 10:46 pm (ACI Africa).

The leadership of the West African nation of Nigeria must “do the needful” to address the plight of the people of God in the country, Archbishop Ignatius Ayau  Kaigama of the country’s Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja has said. 

In an interview with ACI Africa on the sidelines of his pastoral visit to Archangel Michael Chaplaincy Maitama, Archbishop Kaigama appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government to “consider the plight of the people.”

“There is certainly a great deprivation – social deprivation, food deprivation,” he said during the Thursday, September 12 interview, adding that the rising cost of living has compounded the struggles of ordinary citizens, making life “very tough for people.”

The Local Ordinary of Abuja Archdiocese since November 2019 underscored the importance of the government to ensure that Nigerians can afford basic necessities like food and are provided with salaries that can “keep body and soul together.” 

He called for a comprehensive approach that includes job creation for the youth and enhanced security measures for farmers, traders, and students. 

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The Nigerian Catholic Archbishop recognized the important place of faith in times of struggle, but noted that the political leaders needed to equally play their roles. 

“We have asked God to help us; but it is only when our leaders do the needful that God will bless their effort, and there will be peace, and there will be security,” he told ACI Africa during the September 12 interview.

The Catholic Church leader, who started his Episcopal Ministry in April 1995 as Bishop of Nigeria’s Jalingo Diocese called upon youths in Africa’s most populous nation to exercise patience and calmness in the face of the myriad of challenges, and cautioned them against destructive lifestyles. 

“No need to destroy the school, the market, public facilities because you are angry. It doesn’t make sense,” he said.

Archbishop Kaigama continued, “The leaders we have elected cannot sleep if the youth are constantly shouting and crying out, saying, ‘we are hungry, we are starving, we are jobless.’”

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He also reflected on the challenge of disunity based on ethnic and religious differences, and urged Nigerians to look to Catholic Bishops for inspiration. 

“When we meet as Catholic Bishops, come and see the joy, the camaraderie, the bonding,” Archbishop Kaigama said about members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).

He advocated for altruism among Nigeria’s leaders and emphasized the need for unity in diversity. 

“What makes life tough for our nation is this tendency of our leaders to look into themselves alone—to look just for their religious group, to look for their ethnic group,” Archbishop Kaigama told ACI Africa, emphasizing the need to foster fairness and inclusivity.

Abah Anthony John

Abah Anthony John is a Nigerian Journalist with great enthusiasm and interest for Catholic Church Communication and Media Apostolate. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria. He has vast experience in Print,  Electronic and Multi-Media Production.

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