Buhari congratulates new Catholic Archbishop of Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama on his appointment as Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja by the Holy Father, Pope Francis, following the retirement of John Cardinal Onaiyekan.

President Buhari, in a statement yesterday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said he recognised the roles Archbishop Kaigama had played in promoting peace, interfaith dialogue and mutual understanding between Christians and Muslims in the country.

The president took note of his positions as the immediate past President of Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, former Archbishop of Jos, former President of the Episcopal Conference of West African Catholic Bishops and former Chairman of the Plateau State Interreligious Committee for Peace.

He joined all members of the Catholic Church across Nigeria in praying for a successful and memorable tenure in office that would see the Church accomplish great things for the unity and prosperity of the nation while complementing government's efforts at human and material development as Archbishop Kaigama begins a new phase of his ministry.

The president, who also felicitated with Archbishop Emeritus, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, on his retirement, hailed him for his dedicated service to the Catholic Church, and invaluable contributions to the spiritual life of Christians under his pastoral care.