Kaigama: Leaders Must Strive to Alleviate Sufferings of Masses

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

Catholic Achibishop of Abuja,  Most Rev.  Ignatius Kaigama, has admonished Nigerian leaders to show compassion and work towards alleviating the sufferings of the masses.

He said that true leadership is a call to serve the poor and the needy with compassion and justice, and to work towards a more equitable and compassionate society.

Kaigama, who made the charge yesterday during his Homily at the St. Josephine Bakhita’s Pastoral Area, Jikwoyi, Abuja, noted that current sufferings were caused by dishonesty, corruption that are now deeply entrenched in the country.

According to Kaigama, priests and those charged to preach should not preach a cheap Christianity of miracles, wealth or only preaching to please leaders.

He said:  “Even our civil leaders should be courageous like the young Jeremiah to identify the challenges at various levels with every determination to address them at the roots.

“To say that our people are suffering now is a gross understatement. This is brought about by the very deeply entrenched culture of corruption and dishonesty at all levels including our national institutions across the different sectors.

“More than the attractive packages that come with leadership positions in Nigeria, leaders must be determined to bear the burden of leadership with good cheer and strive to alleviate the sufferings of the masses.

*They are called to serve the poor and the needy with compassion and justice, and to work towards a more equitable and compassionate society.”