Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has called on the Federal Government to prioritise tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians.
The respected cleric made the remarks while reflecting on the recent engagement between the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the bishops had already communicated their concerns and were awaiting practical steps from the government.
According to Onaiyekan, the purpose of the meeting was not to engage in political confrontation but to draw attention to challenges confronting Nigerians, including economic hardship, insecurity, and the difficulties faced by young people seeking opportunities.
He said that the focus should now shift from defending policies to delivering better governance.
He maintained that the effectiveness of any administration should ultimately be measured by the impact of its policies on ordinary citizens, rather than by official explanations or economic indicators alone.
The Cardinal said the responsibility of religious leaders includes speaking on issues affecting society, adding that their intervention was motivated by concern for the welfare of Nigerians.
He urged the government to channel its energy towards addressing the challenges facing citizens, emphasizing that improved governance would be the strongest response to concerns raised by stakeholders.
