Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abuja (Agenzia Fides) - "You are avoiding contact with the people whose needs or sufferings you do not understand", denounced His Exc. Mgr. Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, during the ceremony as he takes over the Archdiocese of Abuja on December 5 (see Fides, 11/11/2019).
"The tendency for leaders to surround themselves with weapon-wielding security personnel or trained security dogs and becoming inaccessible and insensitive to the needs of the ordinary people must be avoided and they should ensure that the poor, the children, the teenagers, the youths, the widows, the orphans, those in the periphery are not deprived of social amenities or unjustly treated", said the Archbishop who also denounced how some leaders are tucked away in air-conditioned offices or travelling in jets or helicopters to avoid the deplorable roads that are left unmaintained for years or just simply poorly built.
Mgr. Kaigama wanted in particular to draw the attention of political leaders to the condition of young people, who represent the majority of the population of the Archdiocese and of all Nigeria. "I will pray with them and dialogue on how our youth can be better helped. I will continue to stress the need to protect the lives and property of all Nigerians and to provide jobs for our teeming youth used by ethnic, religious and political bigots for violence, cultism and other anti-social practices", he stressed.
Mgr. Kaigama also condemned how some religious leaders preach prosperity and flaunt wealth in the midst of poverty affecting a huge population of Nigerians. "It is not possible to see my position as the Archbishop of Abuja in terms of worldly elevation or promotion and even to compare it with the position of a powerful and affluent Senator or Minister. My duty is spiritual and pastoral", he added.
Archbishop Kaigama expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, for the messages of goodwill as he takes over the Archdiocese of Abuja. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 11/12/2019)
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