ABUJA, DECEMBER 6, 2019 (CISA)-Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja has asked political leaders in Nigeria to share the pain and agony of poor infrastructure in honor their oath of office.
In his address during his installation as archbishop of Abuja on December 5, Archbishop Kaigama denounced how some leaders are tucked away in air-conditioned offices or travelling in jets or helicopters to avoid the deplorable roads that are left unmaintained for years or just simply poorly built.
“The tendency for leaders to surround themselves with weapon-wielding security personnel or trained security dogs and becoming inaccessible and insensitive to the needs of the ordinary people must be avoided and they should ensure that the poor, the children, the teenagers, the youths, the widows, the orphans, those in the periphery are not deprived of social amenities or unjustly treated,” he said.
The archbishop assured of the Church’s readiness to support elected political leaders and public officials to focus on serving in truth and justice of the nation and the citizens.
In exercising his prophetic duty, Archbishop Kaigama committed to seek to dialogue with government leaders about the common good; remind our leaders to remember the poor, the youth, the widows and orphans; to remind them of the words of both our national pledge and anthem.
“I will pray with them and dialogue on how our youth can be better helped. I will continue to stress the need to protect the lives and property of all Nigerians and to provide jobs for our teeming youth used by ethnic, religious and political bigots for violence, cultism and other anti-social practices,” he said.
He further condemned how some religious leaders preach prosperity and flaunt wealth in the midst of poverty affecting a huge population of Nigerians.
“…to see my position as the Archbishop of Abuja in terms of worldly elevation or promotion and even to compare it with the position of a powerful and affluent Senator or Minister. My duty is spiritual and pastoral,” he added.
Archbishop Kaigama expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, for the messages of goodwill as he takes over the Archdiocese of Abuja.
