End Cycle of Corruption Now, Kaigama Urges New Leaders

The Catholic Archbishop of the Abuja Metropolitan Archdiocese, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama has admonished leaders of government at the national and state levels to put a stop to the network of corruption and reduce the high cost of governance which according to him are mainly responsible for poverty and lack of infrastructure in the country.

Kaigama, who made the call yesterday, during his Homily at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral, Parish in Abuja, also urged the new leaders to also end the reckless borrowing of huge sums of monies.

"We call on our leaders to restore security, break the network of corruption and reduce the high cost of governance which are mainly responsible for the poor infrastructure and people rationalising acts of corruption.

"We hope that there will be an end henceforth to borrowing huge sums of money (piling humongous debts) and not putting them to productive use.

“Nigeria is unable to construct excellent hospitals and schools and our leaders with the means are often seen patronising these institutions abroad where things are working normally, instead of replicating the same facilities at home. We hope decency will be enthroned again from top to bottom," he said.

Kaigama gave a personal experience of the consequences of corruption in the country's affairs saying: "On Friday evening when we arrived from abroad and while waiting at the airport for our luggage, the light went off and the conveyor belt stopped. Many chorused: “Welcome back to Nigeria.”

He further said: "After finishing with my passport, the official said, “na only blessing remain” (not spiritual blessing of course). Another official said, “Daddy welcome, anything for us?” We beg the government to give workers their proper entitlements to do away with these shameful and embarrassing begging attitudes."

Kaigama said his work as a priest was to pray and preach and urged all to grow in the true love of God, love of one another and to be truly companions along this life’s journey to eternity.

While explaining the meaning and essence of celebration of the Holy Trinity Sunday, Kaigama said the Blessed Trinity, “is a model of community life and love.”

"What today we celebrate is the central mystery of our faith and the essence of God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: “The Trinity is One. We do not confess three Gods, but one God in three persons….” (cf. nos. 253-255).

We cannot rationally or scientifically explain God. He is a mystery, a reality that is to be believed and lived through the eyes of faith," he said.