Don’t seek fame, riches, Kaigama tells new leaders

The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Ignatius Kaigama, has advised newly elected and appointed leaders in Nigeria not to use their offices or position to seek fame or riches.

He said the newly elected and appointed leaders must truly work for the country and her people to witness a “new dawn”.

According to him, Nigeria has been too long in the news for the wrong reasons of terrorism, kidnapping, cybercrime, drug trafficking, banditry, fraud and corruption.

The cleric who stated these in his Homily delivered at St. Mary’s Parish, Karu and obtained by journalists in Abuja on Sunday evening told the new leaders in Nigeria not to just seek to become famous or revered.

Kaigama said, “It is not impossible for our leaders to cater for the poor and the needy in Nigeria. We however need leaders who identify with the people’s sufferings. Despite our diversities, we can still team up not only as friends but also as brothers and sisters of one heritage.

“We are so religious outwardly, and like the Israelites, we are quick to say, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do!” (Exodus 19:8) but both in private and in public, we are ungodly in behaviour, insensitive about one another’s needs and feelings.

“Despite the monumental and pervasive corruption, the reckless use of resources or fraudulent strategies to win elections, God still does not abandon us or let us to be destroyed. He reaches out to us even when others think we are on the brink of collapse. No wonder, some people say that God must be a Nigerian!

“How our country could be very great if only we avoid ‘better than thou attitude,’ or the spirit of exclusivity and we obey God’s commandments and work towards harmonious social relationships.

“Nigeria has been too long in the news for the wrong reasons: for terrorism, kidnapping, cybercrime, drug trafficking, banditry, fraud, corruption, etc. Our new leaders must not just seek to become famous or revered, and especially not to enrich themselves, so that we can witness a new dawn.

“A lot of resources are wasted in Nigeria. Smaller countries in Europe with far less resources send us financial aid which unfortunately is not even well utilized. Officials who plunder mindlessly the people’s resources go scot-free because the whole system is shrouded in contemptuous corruption.

“Our new leaders must not just seek to become famous or revered, and especially not to enrich themselves, so that we can witness a new dawn.”