On Sunday, Abuja Diocese Catholic Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama urged President Bola Tinubu to unite Nigerians, improve infrastructure, and fight corruption.
In his Homily at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral, Abuja, he suggested the divisions in Nigerian society.
Kaigama added, “It is no secret that we are split along ethnic, social, economic, and political lines; but we must strive harder to live out the spirit of our national slogan, ‘unity and faith, peace and progress.’
Our leaders must promote nationhood, good neighbourliness, and patriotism over sectional interests, ethnic allegiance, and religious blindness.
He also urged the government to take immediate steps to offset the population’s negative consequences from the recent fuel price hike owing to the elimination of petroleum subsidies.
Kaigama described his recent visits to Portugal and Spain, contrasting their infrastructure and security with Nigeria’s.
He said, “While I was abroad, I had no experience of electricity failure; no water shortage; I observed good roads which go to little settlements. I could go to the airport at 2 or 4 am without worrying about bandits or terrorism.
“Nigeria cannot build outstanding hospitals and schools, and our leaders with the means are often seen attending these institutions abroad where everything are working regularly, instead of reproducing the same facilities at home.”
He hoped the new government would stop borrowing vast amounts of money without spending it productively, enhance infrastructure, and curb corruption.
The cleric called on leaders to restore security, destroy the corruption network, and lower government costs. We wish to stop borrowing massive amounts of money (piling humongous debts) and not using them productively.”
Nonetheless, Kaigama encouraged Nigerians to love each other and work together for a better future.
