The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, has said that treasury looting has become endemic in Nigeria because Nigerians are not yet ready to clamour for positive change.
Kaigama in a homily delivered at St. Matthew’s Pastoral Area, Paso in Abuja yesterday said in a society such as Nigeria, where leaders want others to die for their political ambitions, misuse of public funds would continue to thrive.
He said if Nigerians could avoid politics of pleasure, leadership without sacrifice, uproot every sinful habit, seek a renewed mind, spirit, soul and body and practice self-emptying, the clamour for positive change would be possible and could even be achieved sooner than expected.
He also stated that the day politicians would begin to see the wrong in their deeds and stop rationalising crime, the actions that would follow will engender good governance.
“We must all pay attention to the voice of God in our consciences. The degree of rot and blatant misuse of public resources of this great country is because many have allowed their conscience to die. They see no wrong in their bad or evil actions and they rationalize sin and crime.
“Dying to self is the only way a new Nigeria will germinate and grow, free from the dominion of sin and criminality; to produce patriotic citizens who do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than themselves; looking not only for their interests, but the interests of fellow Nigerians.
“If Nigerians avoid politics of pleasure and the tendency of leadership without sacrifice, practice self-emptying, uproot every sinful habit and seek to be renewed in mind, spirit, soul and body, the clamour for positive change will be possible.
“Unfortunately, leaders want others to die for their political ambitions; while they are comfortable with their families at home or their children well protected overseas.
“It is only by dying to self that good governance can be entrenched and positive legacies endure, just as Jesus in dying became the source of eternal life,” he said.
He urged Nigerians take their problems to God in prayer and seek His help saying “the Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
He further urged Nigerians to always pay attention to the voice of God in their conscience.
He said the extent of rot and blatant misuse of public resources in the country was because many, especially political leaders, have killed their conscience and seen no wrong in their bad or evil actions even as they rationalise sin and crime.
As Easter approaches, the priest charged Christians to follow in the footsteps of Jesus who conquered sin and death by offering His life for mankind.
