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A renowned Archbishop in Nigeria who is the immediate past president of RECOWA-CERAO, the umbrella body of all the Catholic Bishops in the West African Sub-Region has recently Called on Leaders in the entire African continent and Nigeria in particular to Prioritize the Needs of the Vulnerable. This message is apt for Nigeria, for African countries and indeed for the world at large. In the heels of what is going on presently in the United States of America under TRUMP, the message seems also to be addressed to the great World leaders. In his usual manner of addressing the truth, this fiery clergyman cried out, “The cries of the poor are getting louder”.

The poor in the West African nation of Nigeria have been crying to have their basic human needs addressed unsuccessfully and the cries are now “getting louder” by the day, Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of the country’s Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja has said.

In his Sunday, February 16 homily, Archbishop Kaigama called upon the leaders of the country that is Africa’s most populous nation to prioritize the needs of the vulnerable people, noting that the poor, in particular, do not need much to be comfortable.

He noted that owing to the desperate situation that most of the Nigerian population has been thrown in, violent and criminal behaviors in the country are on the rise.

The Nigerian Catholic Archbishop appealed to political leaders in Nigeria and “those who dispense our economic resources” to always “consider the poor as a priority.”

“It is imperative to respond to the needs of the poor, which are usually very basic such as good drinking water, accessible roads, little houses, basic healthcare, affordable schools for children, and good and stable electricity,” Archbishop Kaigama said during Holy Mass at St. Anthony’s Catholic  Parish Jabi, where he conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation to 57 candidates.

For him, “Those in authority should consider how they can respond to these effectively and promptly because the cries of the poor are getting louder and sometimes translating into violent or criminal behaviors and reactions.”

He called upon those who control political and economic power to stand in solidarity with the poor, advocating for the marginalized, and promoting justice and peace.

He said Nigerian leaders “must make political decisions that favor the good of all and not just their personal interests and combat corruption by living lives of integrity and honesty.”

The Local Ordinary of Abuja Archdiocese since his installation in November 2019 condemned the act of egocentrism and called on his wealthy compatriots to help the needy.

“Those who trust only riches, pleasure, and human strength will one day realize how empty these things are. True happiness is found in relying on God, even when life is difficult,” he said, and posed, “Who do you put your trust in?”

He added, “Remember too, that the rich are also blessed if only they acknowledge their poverty and dependence on God.”

The Nigerian Catholic Archbishop, who started his Episcopal Ministry in April 1995 as Bishop of Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Jalingo urged the people of God to live with “heaven in mind” just like Lazarus, who trusted in God even when he was being oppressed by a rich man.

He cited Psalms 49:6-13, which condemns selfish riches, saying, “People with wealth, but no understanding, no compassion, no milk of human kindness, are like dumb beasts that perish.”

“They, and indeed, all of us, must learn to place our trust in God rather than in dishonest gains,” Archbishop Kaigama said, reflecting on the readings of the sixth Sunday in Ordinary

“We must all be truly committed to ethical behavior in our personal and professional lives and have the courage to speak out against economic wastefulness and selfish legislation. This is not always easy, but it is the path that assures us happiness, fulfillment, and progress,” he said.

Rev. Fr. George Nwachukwu
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