Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of the Abuja Catholic Archdiocese has called on Nigerians to embrace justice, integrity, and love as pathways to rebuilding the nation.
Speaking during his sermon at the opening Mass of the 2025 First Plenary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) in Abuja on Sunday, Kaigama emphasized that national transformation requires both individual and collective renewal.
The conference, themed “Jubilee of Hope: A Light for a New Nigeria,” indicates the role of faith in fostering national progress.
Kaigama stressed that Nigeria’s challenges economic hardship, insecurity, corruption, and social divisions can be overcome if citizens choose righteousness over corruption, love over hatred, and peace over division.
“If we desire a new Nigeria, we must commit to truth, justice, and love. We must choose unity over division, selflessness over greed, and faith over fear,” he stated.
The cleric likened Nigeria’s struggles to the biblical Israelites’ journey out of slavery, affirming that, just as God led them to a land of abundance, He can also guide Nigeria into an era of justice, peace, and prosperity, provided the nation turns back to God.
He warned against greed, abuse of power, and materialism, urging Nigerians to resist temptations such as corruption, violence, and religious extremism.
Kaigama also called on Nigeria’s political, judicial, military, and religious leaders, past and present—to take responsibility for past wrongs, return ill-gotten wealth, and work towards the common good.
“If they wallow in luxury and do little to ease the suffering of the people, they miss the point,” he remarked.
He urged Nigerians to embrace the Lenten season as a time for spiritual and national transformation, noting that Muslims were also observing Ramadan and encouraging both Christians and Muslims to use this sacred period to promote a nation free from hunger, poverty, and corruption.
The archbishop further emphasized the need for genuine faith over empty religious rituals, cautioning against prioritizing extravagant places of worship while neglecting the suffering of the people.
“True worship is in our actions, justice, honesty, and love,” he asserted.
In his remarks, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, described the conference’s theme as timely, urging Nigerians to re-establish their relationship with God and with one another.
“Our country has been wallowing in hopelessness and despair for a long time.
“Many of our fellow citizens are at their breaking points, while some have given up hope entirely amid extreme conditions of hunger, poverty, insecurity, and disease.”Okoh said.
He commended the Catholic Church for its unwavering commitment to social justice and truth, noting that its advocacy continues to inspire transformation in Nigeria.
“With all the genuine efforts of the Church and well-meaning Nigerians, our nation will rise again,” Okoh declared.
He urged Nigerians to remain steadfast in faith, united in purpose, and committed to building a country where love, peace, and justice prevail.
