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  • Catholic Bishops to Fed, state govts: expose kidnappers, bring them to justice

    Catholic Bishops to Fed, state govts: expose kidnappers, bring them to justice

    The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) on Tuesday urged the federal and state governments to, as a matter of urgency, identify abductors involved in the recent kidnapping incident in some states and prosecute them.

    The bishops decried the level of security, which they said has claimed countless lives, razed communities, and forced thousands into displaced camps.

    They demanded the immediate rescue of all abducted persons and an investigation into alleged delayed security responses in affected communities to rebuild public trust.

    According to a statement titled “Peace in Nigeria: Moving from Fragility to Stability”, jointly signed by CBCN President, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, and Secretary, Bishop Donatus Aihmiosion Ogun, the bishops said Nigeria’s fragile social and religious climate had been worsened by rampant violence, unconstitutional actions of some Shariah institutions, and alleged abuses linked to Hisbah operations in the North.

    CBCN expressed concern over repeated attacks on communities in the North and Middle Belt, adding that in some cases, delayed or absent security responses had created suspicions of collusion or negligence.

    The Bishops emphasised that apart from Christians, Muslims and other ethnic groups have also suffered from the same wave of violence ravaging the country.

    Recent mass abductions, including worshippers in Kwara, 25 young girls in Kebbi, 13 female farmers in Borno, and over 265 schoolchildren and teachers in Niger State, as well as the killing of Brigadier General Musa Uba and dozens of security personnel, were cited as evidence of Nigeria’s deepening insecurity.

    CBCN said, “When criminals can strike schools, farms, and communities with impunity, it threatens the very foundations of family life, education, and social stability.

    “In the light of this worsening situation, we call on the Government at all levels to urgently and decisively fulfil its foremost duty, as mandated by Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, to protect the lives and property of all citizens. The Government has both the responsibility and the means to end this violence and must no longer allow impunity to prevail.

    “Those responsible for these heinous crimes must be identified and brought to justice, for without accountability there can be no lasting peace. We urge that reports of delayed or withheld security responses in some affected communities be thoroughly investigated to rebuild public trust.

    “The Government must also take all lawful and urgent measures to secure the immediate and safe return of all abducted persons, including the young girls taken in Kebbi, the pupils and teachers seized in Kontagora, and the young females abducted in Borno, and ensure that displaced citizens can return to their ancestral homes. This moment calls for decisive action to halt the terror engulfing our nation and for meaningful dialogue and peacebuilding aimed at restoring confidence among our people.

    “Lasting peace cannot be achieved through silence or delay. It requires justice, courage, and a firm commitment to the sanctity of human life. Nigerians and the global community can no longer tolerate excuses for continued insecurity. We further draw attention to the persistent violations of the rights and freedoms of Christian minorities in several northern states.

    “The denial of land for the construction of churches, particularly within federal institutions, and the destruction of Christian places of worship, especially at the height of Boko Haram’s insurgency, are matters that demand urgent and decisive government action.

    “The overreach of Sharia Courts in some states poses serious constitutional concerns, as it threatens Nigeria’s secular character and infringes on the rights of Christian minorities. It is in this context that we recall with deep sorrow the brutal killing of Deborah Samuel Yakubu in Sokoto, an incident fuelled by extremist interpretations of Sharia-related accusations, and we once again demand justice for her, as impunity in such cases undermines the rule of law and endangers the rights of all citizens.

    “While moral formation is essential in every society, the activities of morality enforcement groups such as the Hisbah have frequently resulted in harassment and intimidation of innocent citizens, including Christians and Muslims alike, in the exercise of their fundamental freedoms”.

    The bishops added, “Nigeria’s rich religious and cultural pluralism must foster unity, mutual respect, and peace rather than division and suspicion. We salute the courage of the Nigerian people who, despite these trying times, continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience and trust in the promise of a better future.

    “We urge all citizens, irrespective of religion, tribe, or political persuasion, to remain united in the quest for peace and the rebuilding of our common life. Every Nigerian is called to be an agent of healing, to reject hatred and retaliation, to speak words that foster understanding, and to uphold justice, dialogue, and mutual respect. Peace is not the responsibility of a select few. It is the duty of all.

    “Rather than engaging in divisive arguments about who has suffered more losses, we should stand together in defending the sacredness of every human life and protecting the vulnerable. Together, we can transform our diversity into strength and build a nation that truly reflects harmony, justice, and hope.”

  • ‘No plans to arrest, jail Catholic bishops, priests’

    ‘No plans to arrest, jail Catholic bishops, priests’

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the November 8 election and incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo, has dismissed as false and baseless reports claiming he plans to arrest and jail Catholic bishops and priests after his re-election.

    The Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, in a statement yesterday, described the report as a “clear case of misinformation and fake news” aimed at creating tension and undermining the peaceful atmosphere in the state.

    He stressed that Governor Soludo has no such plans and continues to respect the rights and freedoms of all citizens, including religious leaders.

    “The attention of the Anambra State Government has been drawn to a fabricated story circulating in some media outlets alleging that Governor Chukwuma Soludo plans to arrest and jail Catholic bishops and priests after his re-election,” the statement read.

    “We categorically state that this report is entirely false, baseless, and malicious. It is the handiwork of shadow opposition elements that have resorted to propaganda for lack of campaign material. They are advised to face their dwindling campaigns.”

    Mefor added that Soludo, a staunch Catholic, maintains cordial relations with the Church and its leaders, and remains committed to peace and mutual respect.

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    He urged residents to disregard the false report and always verify information before sharing, especially those designed to incite public unrest.

    “The government respects the rights and freedoms of all citizens, including religious leaders. Ndi Anambra should disregard this falsehood and demand verifiable evidence before believing such stories,” he said.

    Mefor further reiterated the administration’s resolve to continue its campaign against fake spiritual practitioners, including “fake native doctors, fake Ndi Eze Nwanyi, and fake clergymen and women,” under the ongoing Oso Soludo initiative.

    He also noted that the state government would continue collaborating with the Federal Government to identify and prosecute certificate forgers and other fraudulent elements in the state.

  • Nigerian’s unity under threat, Catholic Bishop warns

    Nigerian’s unity under threat, Catholic Bishop warns

    The Catholic Bishops of Nigeria, under the auspices of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has expressed concerns over deepening divisions, attributing the crisis to weak leadership, ethnic tensions, and religious discord.  

    Bishop of Lafia Diocese and Episcopal Chairman of Social Communications, Most Rev. David Ajang, raised the alarm while addressing reporters in Abuja after the 2025 Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria Communications Week. 

    Ajang warned that Nigeria’s unity is at risk unless urgent steps are taken to foster inclusivity and good governance.  

    He lamented the growing polarisation along ethnic and religious lines, stating that Nigerians can now easily discern a speaker’s regional or religious affiliation simply by their perspective.  

    “Nobody can deny the fact that Nigeria is divided today. Carry out an experiment: Listen to the news, close your eyes, and when you hear a perspective, you can guess where the person comes from. That is how divided we are,” he said. 

    The Bishop noted that even within major religions such as Christianity and Islam, internal divisions further complicate national cohesion. 

    However, he emphasised that strong leadership could bridge these gaps.  

    “If we get leadership right, most of the disunity will dissolve. The problem is that when one region is in power, others feel sidelined. 

    “Right now, there is already a coalition of northern politicians trying to wrest power from the present government. Is it because the North is not being served, or because they feel threatened? I think it is a bit of both. 

    “Especially for those who enjoy political patronage, when someone from their region is in power, they believe benefits will trickle down to them or their associates. 

    “If we fix the leadership problem, these agitations will fade. It shouldn’t matter who occupies the seat; as long as everyone feels a sense of belonging, things will improve,” the Bishop said.  

    Ajang also highlighted the delicate balance the media must maintain between truth-telling and national stability, urging journalists to prioritise the common good while reporting responsibly.  

    Read Also: Catholic Bishops demand govt’s action over Benue massacre

    “The good of humanity must underpin every news item. While truth must be upheld, how it fosters unity must also be considered. It’s a delicate balance, but many media professionals are doing it well,” he said. 

    When asked how Nigeria’s over 500 languages could be harnessed for unity, the Bishop noted that many indigenous languages are fading, with younger generations unable to speak them.  

    “Some languages are already going extinct. But the real issue is not language, it’s identity politics. People simply want ‘their own’ in power, even if they gain nothing from it,” he said. 

    Despite the challenges, Ajang expressed optimism that Nigeria could overcome its divisions with improved leadership.  

    “Unfortunately, from independence, it has been the problem of Nigeria. And I hope that one day we get it right. 

    “Because I think being together, all of us, is better than being divided. Even if we get divided, it does not solve the problem at all,” he said.

  • Catholic bishops’ alarming prognosis far from reality, says Presidency

    Catholic bishops’ alarming prognosis far from reality, says Presidency

    • Spokesman insists Nigeria on right track

    Catholic bishops got it wrong on their claim that Nigeria was sitting on a ticking time bomb due to the challenges of insecurity, youth unemployment, poverty and corruption, the Presidency said yesterday.

    Dismissing the concerns raised by the clerics under the auspices of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) as an alarming prognosis, the Presidency insisted that Nigeria is making significant progress in every sphere.

    In a statement in Abuja by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency acknowledged the concerns raised by the bishops but insisted that the country is in a far better position than it was before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took office.

    At the opening of their 2025 first plenary meeting at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) in Abuja, the CBCN warned that Nigerians might resort to self-help, a development the clerics said might be catastrophic and demanded action from the government.

    But Onanuga described the CBCN’s assessment as “an alarming prognosis” that did not reflect the reality of ongoing improvements across sectors.

    He stated that Nigeria is now more secure than in 2023, crediting the military and security agencies for the elimination of over 8,000 criminals, including bandits, armed robbers, Boko Haram terrorists and kidnappers.

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    The presidential spokesman also noted that more than 10,000 Nigerians – mainly women and children – had been rescued from their captors.

    He argued that improved security, particularly in the Northwest and Northeast, has enabled farmers to return to their fields, leading to increased food production and a subsequent drop in prices of essential commodities.

    Addressing economic concerns, the Presidency highlighted key indicators of progress the country has made under the current government, including a stronger balance of trade, growing foreign reserves, and a stabilising the currency.

    Onanuga referred to increased local refining capacity, with the Dangote Refinery and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) refineries in Port Harcourt and Warri now operational, as evidence of the administration’s success in reducing dependency on imported fuel.

    He emphasised that the Tinubu administration has rolled out targeted youth employment programmes, such as 3MTT, NATEP, LEEP, IDiCE, NiYA, and the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund – all aimed at creating over 10 million jobs.

    The statement noted that revenue collection has seen a sharp increase, allowing the government to fund critical infrastructure projects in roads, power, healthcare, education, and security.

    “The record N54.9 trillion Budget 2025,” Onanuga added, “is designed to revitalise the economy and put it on a long-term growth trajectory.”

    Referencing international recognition, the Presidency cited a recent Chatham House report that described Nigeria’s economy under President Tinubu as the most competitive it has been in 25 years due to his reform agenda.

    Although it acknowledged that many Nigerians still face economic hardships, the Presidency assured Nigerians that the government remained committed to making the necessary decisions to ensure a more prosperous future.

    Onanuga reaffirmed President Tinubu’s dedication to leading the country towards “a greater and stronger Nigeria,” stressing that the administration is optimistic about the impact of its ongoing reforms.

  • Blessing same-sex marriage against God’s law, cultural sensibilities of Nigerians – Catholic bishops

    Blessing same-sex marriage against God’s law, cultural sensibilities of Nigerians – Catholic bishops

    Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has said that blessing same-sex marriage is against God’s law, teachings of the Church, the laws of the country and the cultural sensibilities of Nigerians.

    The bishops stated this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Ibadan.

    NAN reports that the statement was signed by CBCN President and Secretary, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji and Most Rev. Donatus Ogun respectively and a few other executives.

    The bishops assured the ‘people of God’ that the teachings of the Catholic Church on marriage remained the same.

    “There is, therefore, no possibility in the church of blessing same-sex unions and activities; that will go against God’s law, the teachings of the church, the laws of our nation and the cultural sensibilities of our people.

    “We thank all the priests for their accompaniment of married couples, asking them to continue in all they do to sustain the sacrament of holy matrimony and never to do anything that will detract from the sacredness of this sacrament,” CBCN said.

    The bishops said following the issuance of the declaration on the pastoral meaning of blessings, “Fiducia Supplicans” (pleading with courage) by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, CBCN members recognised their duties as pastors to clarify the content of the document.

    They emphasised that the declaration sought to clarify the different forms of blessings that could be given to persons and objects within the Catholic Church, including the possibility of blessing persons in irregular unions.

    Such unions, the clerics said, could include, but not limited to, divorced and remarried couples whose previous marriages had not been annulled, those living in same-sex unions, those in polygamous unions and concubinage, among others.

    “The declaration acknowledges and carefully distinguishes between ritual, liturgical and informal blessings.

    “While ritual or liturgical blessings are imparted according to the established norms of the church, informal blessings refer to prayers over people who ask for them outside the liturgy or any formal celebration in the church.

    “The declaration offers a consideration of the possibility of extending the informal blessings to all God’s children, irrespective of their moral condition, when they ask to be blessed.

    “Nevertheless, the declaration insists that the blessings of persons in irregular unions – and never the union itself – can only take a non-liturgical form to avoid confusion.

    “It should not be imparted during or in connection with a civil wedding ceremony or with clothing, words and signs associated with a wedding,” they said.

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    According to the bishops, the declaration also reiterates the Catholic Church’s perennial teaching on marriage as an “exclusive, stable and indissoluble union of a man and woman, naturally open to the generation of children.”

    While stating that the church did not have the power to impart a blessing on irregular unions, they maintained that the declaration also reinforced the truth about God’s mercy.

    “For one to willingly ask for a blessing demonstrates one’s trust in God and the desire to live according to God’s commandments.

    “Asking for God’s blessing is not dependent on how good one is. Imperfection is the reason for seeking God’s grace.

    “Therefore, those in irregular unions are invited never to lose hope but rather to ask for God’s grace and mercy while remaining open to conversion,” the bishops said.

    (NAN)

  • Catholic bishops preach piety, good neighbourliness at Easter

    The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Dr. Adewale Martins, and the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Anambra State, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, have called on Nigerians to maintain a pious lifestyle make charity a way of life.

    In his Easter message released yesterday, Archbishop Martins called on Nigerians to show more empathy for their fellow citizens and make sacrifice for the common good.

    He urged them to show concern for the welfare of fellow citizens in emulation of Jesus Christ who made the invaluable sacrifice of His life out of love for humanity.

    “In this Easter season, we are once again reminded of the love that made our Lord Jesus Christ to take upon himself the sins of all mankind and was crucified so that we might have eternal life.

    “Like Jesus, we too must be willing to make sacrifices for the common good and the growth of our nation.

    “We must show more tolerance towards others and accommodate those with points of view that are different from ours so that we can all live together in peace and unity,” he said.

    Love, according to him, is the virtue we all need to practice as Nigerians so that we can together fight against the numerous ills plaguing the land and move towards the path of lasting peace and prosperity.

    Bishop Ezeokafor, on his part, described as hypocrites Christians who assume holy state during Easter period only to return to their sinful ways once the celebration is over.

    He also berated religious leaders that profess prosperity and view suffering in the Christiandom as a taboo.

    Such teachings, he said, are misleading.

    He stressed that as followers of Christ, Christians should see suffering and difficulties as part of the journey to eternity.

    He urged Nigerians to shun corruption and live righteous life worthy of emulation in the spirit of Easter celebration when Christians the world over reflect on Christ’s sufferings and eventual death and resurrection.

    The Catholic prelate described corruption and immorality as acts detested by God and was capable of leading God’s people to hell fire despite the supreme price Christ paid for mankind on the cross.

    According to him, Easter presented an opportunity for the faithful to thank God for the opportunity of being part of the celebration as well as a time for telling themselves some home truths.

    He noted that Christ suffered and won victory for mankind and that in the same way, people faced difficulties in life, with the hope of coming out triumphantly and happy at the end.

    He said, “My message is that there is still hope because we know that, according to St Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians: 18:14, the fact that Christ is alive should give us hope, otherwise our lives would have been in vain.

    “Despite the stressful times, people should trust in God by emulating Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane who, despite his travails, did not give up.

    “There are difficulties, but it is only the living that would come up to tell the story. So, let us stop living as if we are hopeless.

    “There is hope and Christ showed that hope in the father; went through suffering and you can see that at the end of the day, his resurrection brought us life.

    “Christ took up that challenge, so, I challenge all of us to take up whatever challenges that life brings.

    “Suffering is already part and parcel of our lives and nobody can be immune from it.”

  • Kaduna killings: Catholic bishops ask El-Rufai to convene stakeholders meeting

    The Catholic Bishops of Kaduna Ecclesiastical Province have appealed to Governor Nasir El-Rufai to urgently convene a stakeholders’ meeting.

    They said such a parley would help  in addressing the incessant killings in Kajuru Local Government Area and its environs.

    They spoke through a statement jointly signed by the chairman of the province, His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Manoso Ndagoso and Secretary, His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. John Mamasa Niriing (OSA) of Kano Diocese.

    Also yesterday, the House of Representatives resolved to investigate the remote and immediate causes of incessant killings in southern part of the state.

    Security agencies have been urged  to intensify efforts at stopping  the deadly attacks and ensuring that peace return to the area.

    The House also asked the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)to urgently  provide the affected communities with relief materials to alleviate their sufferings.

    The resolution followed the adoption of a motion by Yakubu Barde (Kaduna), who  regretted that  relevant authorities have failed to  bring the situation under control.

    The bishops lamented that the resumption of “mindless killings in the Kajuru area of Southern Kaduna came to them with a great shock”.

    They noted with dismay that in the last four months alone, the communities have suffered a chain of tragedies which climaxed with the gruesome murder of their paramount chief, the Agwom Adara, Mr. Maiwada Raphael Galadima, in October last year.

    “We had hoped that this tragedy would alert the state government of the seriousness of the tragedy and all sides of the urgency of peaceful co-existence. Unfortunately, the situation seems to be growing worse among the communities around Adara land.”

    They stressed that, “while the people of Adara still have no traditional ruler, their other leaders have been rounded up under various allegations and have been in detention for a few weeks now”.

    “Clearly, these developments have exposed the Adara people to physical, cultural and psychological insecurity.

    “Although these killings continue to carry such labels as farmer/herder clashes, ethno-religious and reprisal killings, they do not explain the existential threat that this poses for the faith of our people in a united Nigeria.”

     

     

  • Catholic Bishops to Buhari: implement laws to ensure future credible elections

    Catholic Bishops have advised President Muhammadu Buhari to implement laws and policies that will ensure credible elections in the future.

    They demanded that government should acknowledge the inadequacies which characterised the 2019 elections and embark on a course for redress.

    A communique issued at the end of the First Plenary Meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) in Abuja, and signed by the President, CBCN, Rev. Augustine Akubeze, and Secretary Rev. Camillus Umoh, reads: “We affirm that elections are an opportunity for people to freely choose those who will serve them. We denounce the unfortunate loss of lives and destruction of property, which is ongoing even now.

    “We, however, admonish that elections should not be turned into a battle between warriors fighting to capture power and conquer territory and people at all cost. We observe that many of the challenges which emerged during the electoral process were because of inadequate electoral laws, which made implementation problematic and at times offered lacunae for evil minded people to exploit the situation to their own advantage.

    “Even where the rules were clear, they were not always adhered to. One of the reported phenomena during the elections was the crude and reckless use of money to buy votes; showing how desperate politicians and political parties are determined to get political power at all cost.

    “Bad elections do not lead to good governance. We demand that the government acknowledge the inadequacies that characterised the 2019 elections and embark on a course for redress. We urge her to enact, endorse and implement laws and policies that will ensure free, fair and credible elections in the future.

    “We enjoin Nigerians, leaders and the led, to abide by democratic principles such as respect for human life, human rights and the rule of law. We also encourage the electorate to ensure that those who hold public offices in our country are held accountable. We equally urge Nigerians to eschew ndiscipline and corruption, and be resolute rather than lose hope in our struggle for a better future and country.

    “The 2019 general elections have come and gone, except in some areas where the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled supplementary elections for specified reasons.

    “We commend our people for the patriotism and the maturity displayed. We praise electorate for coming out en masse during the Presidential and National Assembly elections, and the voter apathy which characterised the Governorship and Houses of Assembly elections.

    “We believe this apathy might not be unconnected to, among others, the violence, malpractice and the unnecessary militarisation of the process, all of which contributed to eroding the people’s confidence in the electoral process.

    “We have taken note of  winners, and hail the civility of those who rejected the results but have chosen to express their grievances legitimately rather than through violence. Whatever the outcome, justice must be seen to have been done. We admonish whoever holds power at the end of the day to remember that power belongs to God and to Him alone. God demands strict accountability for how anyone takes power and uses it, for God cannot be deceived or challenged (Lk 16:2).”

    On the recent killings in Kaduna and other states, the communiqué said: “We have received with deep sorrow, the tragic news of the resurgence of further horrific killings in some parts of Kaduna State, Taraba, Benue, Kogi, Edo, Rivers, Zamfara, Adamawa and other states. Against the backdrop of the violence and bloodshed that characterised the last elections, we are pained that the culture of death is becoming embedded into our daily lives.

    “This persistent devaluation of human life and property poses an existential threat to our personal survival and that of our country. How can the government continue to appear helpless in the face of such shameful tragedy? We strongly appeal to the President, in collaboration with governors of the affected states, to take steps to arrest this drift before total anarchy and mayhem consume the country.”

  • Protect lives at all cost, catholic bishops tell FG

    Protect lives at all cost, catholic bishops tell FG

    The Catholic Bishops of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province have  urged the Federal Government to protect all human lives at all costs to avoid disintegration and destruction of the Nigerian society.

    The bishops speaking through their representative, Bishop  Emmanuel Badejo, made this call at a public  presentation of two books on Thursday at the John Paul II Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.

    The books are entitled: “A Catechism on Human Life: From Conception to Natural Death and A Catechism on Marriage and The Family: The Teachings of the Catholic Church”.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the province comprises of Ibadan Archdiocese, Osogbo, Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo and Illorin Dioceses.

    Bishop Badejo of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo  said that where basic human lives were concerned, the government should be accountable by protecting them.

    He added that government had the responsibility to protect lives irrespective of ethnicity, religion and ideology.

    “The government is supposed to serve the people and everything done by the government must be of benefit to  the people, which includes protecting their lives.

    ” Government  must do this not to favour anybody, any institution or personality at the expense of people’s lives.

    “Every human life that is lost is blood crying out to God for vengeance and this can mean the destruction of a society.

    “We suffer from daily sights of killings of adults, babies and pregnant women.

    “Human life is becoming less valuable and any society that tolerates that is on the death row. In Nigeria we don’t want to be on the death row.

    “The basic duty of government is to protect human lives, all other things fade into insignificance,” he said.

    Badejo also advised the government to have respect for the traditional institution of marriage and shun laws that seek to abolish it.

    “The three main pillars of humanity in Africa are : the protection of human lives, marriage and the protection of the family.

    “What we have now are so many wayward teachings.

    “If the  family system and marriage institution  are not protected,  eventually society will disintegrate.

    “That is why God made it possible for only man and woman to procreate,” he said.

    In his remarks, Archbishop  Gabriel Abegunrin of the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan  said the traditional institution of family and marriage was being challenged by ideological and economic motives.

    “There are a lot of false teachings, misconceptions about human lives.

    “It has become pertinent for the church to speak as eloquently as possible in a world where misguided emphasis is laid on mundane and material things.

    “There is no doubt that the world today needs restoration through education and social mobilisation.

    “Marriage institution still has values and worth and if you want to help the nation, you have to help the family take care of the children,” he said.

    Abegunrin urged every citizen to have complete respect for  the dignity and the sanctity of human life.

    “In this age,  people have forgotten that life belongs to God and have lost the conscience that God alone has right over human lives and no man should take it.

    “We are calling on people of goodwill to shun any practice against human life.

    “We are talking about development of the society. Human life is sacred, no other human being has the right to terminate another’s.” he said.

    Dr Julianna Olusanmi, a human rights activist, said that the family remained the root and  the building block of the human society.

    “The role of family in the society should not be underestimated. It is pertinent to societal development or its lack.

    “If you help the family, you help the nation. Bad leaders come from bad families,” she said.

    The book reviewer, Rev. Fr. Michael Banjo, said that the books were written to correct misconceptions and misguided principles about marriage, conception and family that were anti-Christians and anti-Africa.

    He described the book as a moral guide to not only Christians but to all people of goodwill.

    “The two books confront misleading ideology but seek to better educate Christians about marriage and promote and protect traditional Christian values,” he said. (NAN)

  • Full Text: Our thoughts, concerns for Nigeria, by Catholic bishops

    Full Text: Our thoughts, concerns for Nigeria, by Catholic bishops

    In an address read by Dr. Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, the Archbishop of Jos and Conference President, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) want President Muhammadu Buhari to act as a father to all by tackling “some glaring failures of government” and lopsidedeness in federal appointments to give every Nigerian a sense of belonging.

    We, the representatives of the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria, bring you our cordial greetings and blessings. We desired this meeting, in order to continue the dialogue we initiated with you even before your election as President. We therefore thank you for granting us this audience, which affords us the opportunity to share with you, once again, our thoughts and concerns on some issues affecting our dear country, Nigeria.

    First, we thank God for bringing you back to us after a period of ill health. We hope and pray that you continue to make progress on the way to full recovery, in order to be able to face the enormous challenges emanating from your exalted office.

    Your Excellency, needless to say that, as President, you are the father of our dear country Nigeria. It is therefore pertinent that as loyal citizens as well as informed members of the society, we come to you from time to time to express not only our willing cooperation with the government in working for the progress of our country, but also to share with you the feelings of the multitude of Nigerians at this moment. We work with the people at the grassroots and therefore, have first-hand information about what they are going through.

    There is no doubt that when you came into office, you had an enormous amount of the goodwill of Nigerians, since many saw you as a person of integrity who would be able to bring sanity into a system that was nearly crippled by endemic corruption.

    Nearly three years later, however, one has the feeling that this good will is being fast depleted by some glaring failures of government which we have the moral responsibility to bring to your notice. Else, we would be failing in our duty as spiritual fathers and leaders.

     

    Our concerns

     

    Your Excellency, there is too much suffering in the country: poverty, hunger, insecurity, violence, fear… the list is endless. Our beloved country appears to be under siege. Many negative forces seem to be keeping a stranglehold on the population, especially the weaker and defenceless ones.

    There is a feeling of hopelessness across the country. Our youths are restive and many of them have taken to hard drugs, cultism and other forms of violent crime, while many have become victims of human trafficking. The nation is nervous.

    Just as we seem to be gradually emerging from the dark tunnel of an economic recession that caused untold hardship to families and individuals, violent attacks by unscrupulous persons, among whom are terrorists masquerading as herdsmen, have led to a near civil war situation in many parts of the country.

    We are saddened that, repeatedly, innocent citizens in different communities across the nation are brutally attacked and their sources of livelihood mindlessly destroyed. Lives are wasted and property, worth billions of Naira, including places of worship, schools, hospitals and business enterprises are torched and turned to ashes.

    We are still more saddened by the recent massacre of unarmed citizens by these terrorists in some communities in Benue, Adamawa, Kaduna and Taraba states which has caused national shock, grief and outcry.

    The silence of the Federal Government in the wake of these horrifying attacks is, to say the least, shocking. There is a feeling of helplessness among the people and the danger that some people may begin to take laws into their hands.

    We therefore earnestly urge the government to take very seriously its primary responsibility of protecting the lives and property of its citizens and ensure that such mindless killings do not reoccur.

    Herdsmen may be under pressure to save their livestock and economy, but this is never to be done at the expense of other people’s lives and means of livelihood. We would like to add our voice to those of other well-meaning Nigerians who insist that a better alternative to open grazing should be sought, rather than introducing “cattle colonies” in the country.

    While thinking of how best to help cattle owners establish ranches, government should equally have plans to help the other farmers whose produce is essential for our survival as a nation.

    In a similar vein, daredevil kidnappers, who at present are having a field day, with a feeling of invincibility, must be made to understand that there is a government in this country.

    The government should invest more in equipping our Police Force with modern and high-tech devices that would help them track down and arrest these criminals and make them face the wrath of the law.

    The Federal Character Principle is enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria: “The Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few states or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that government or in any of its agencies (Section 14, Sub-section 3-4.

    Disregard for this Principle in some Federal Government appointments, as well as perceptible imbalance in the distribution of federal amenities, has created the loss of a sense of belonging in many parts of the country, hence the constant cries of marginalisation, agitation for secession and calls for restructuring.

    These and many more of such problems are, in our opinion, grave matters that should be worrying all political leaders in our country today, rather than any bid for re-election.

     

    Conclusion, assurance of prayers

     

    Our Church has always complemented the efforts of government in such areas as providing quality education and primary health care services to our people.

    We continue to make our contribution to nation-building through our prayers, admonitions and assistance to needy. Nigerians whenever we can. As the voice of the voiceless, we shall continue to highlight the plight of our people and play our prophetic role of sensitising the government, thus promoting good governance, national unity and cohesion.

    We strongly feel that everybody in government at this moment has to take more decisive steps to restore the confidence of the Nigerian people in our governments.

    Our collective efforts must be seen in the desire to return to the fine principles of democracy, such as true federalism negotiation and consensus building, as means of achieving a more equitable distribution of the resources of our country and good governance.