The Catholic Archbishop of Jos, Most Rev. Ishaya Audu, has lamented that even after attaining the ripe age of 63, Nigeria still trails far behind other nations, with similar circumstances as ours at independence, both in democratic advancement and in economic development.
“When you look at other countries that were on the same pedestal with us 63 years ago – countries like Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, United Arab Emirates – it is saddening, infuriating even. Despite the bounteous gifts of people and resources that we can boast of, our nation has remained a bumbling self-acclaimed giant with feet of clay.”
The Metropolitan of Jos ecclesiastical province stated this during his homily at the Mass commemorating the solemnity of Our Lady Patroness of Nigeria on the 63rd independence day celebration of the country on Sunday, October 1, 2023.
While observing that for the past sixty-three years of our existence as an independent nation, many Nigerians still feel that the dreams, hopes and aspirations of the founding fathers of our nation, seem to have been dashed, noted that Nigeria have been going round in circles and moving ahead very little.
While calling on all to thank God for the enormous resources that our country has been blessed with, the Prelate disclosed that our greatest resources have been our people, and that we are blessed with the largest population in Africa, which amount to over 200 million strong and greatest concentration of black people anywhere in the world.
“Nigeria is a country abundantly blessed by God with rich human and natural resources, with good vegetation, tolerable climate, and vast development potential. Our people are also hard working and enterprising. All over the world, Nigerians are recording incredible achievements in diverse fields of Endeavour.
“Materially too, we cannot ask God for more. Our country has been blessed with resources beyond our dreams. Ours has been a country literally flowing with milk and honey for these past 63 years. You may not know, we have become the envy of many nations on the African Continent and beyond. The story of Africa continent protest before God. Remember, we were once known as the ‘Giant of Africa’.”
Archbishop Audu admonished all Nigerians, to begin afresh with God who has made us citizens of this nation called Nigeria.
“Many of us do not take God serious. If the citizens of this nation would fear God and know that at final analysis God is going to judge each and every one of us we will not do what we are going to this country and to its citizens. If we need our country to be better, we must repent and change our hearts. I mean all of us.
“For nation-building, Nigerians should imbibe the spirit of patriotism. Patriotism is a virtue that does not fall from the sky, but is cultivated and nurtured in and by citizens. Patriotism should go beyond national anthem and pledging of loyalty to the nation in words to real and concrete actions. Patriotism grows with respect to the degree of participation of the citizens in electing their leaders, participation in the governance of their respective communities, the level of civility exercised in the process, as well as the sensitivity with which elected officials treat the citizens. The spirit of patriotism is further enhanced through an integrated development program founded on principles of human rights, Common Good, solidarity and subsidiarity.”
He charged the government to plan a budget that would adequately remunerate working class when due, so that they can have shelters, acquire the needed private properties and take care of their family members, as well as remunerate senior citizens at their retirement stage who have served our fatherland by promptly paying their pensions and gratuities.
