Catholic Bishops Want FG To End Killings, Address High-profile Corruptions In Nigeria
Afimag.com –
Catholic Bishops in Nigeria have called on the Federal Government to put an end to killings and address high-level corruption to improve the economy of the country.
The Bishops, who complained about the incessant killings and kidnapping in Imo, and other States, said there the country had not enjoyed peace in recent times.
President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, disclosed this in a sermon, on January 14, 2024, at a thanksgiving Mass, in Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, in honour of the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day and Governor Hope Uzodimma’s re-election.
Ugorji described corruption as a worrisome vice in the society which has gone beyond scale and measure, adding that it has brought nothing but moral rottenness, defilement, and loss of integrity.
According to him, “It spans a very wide spectrum, ranging from bribery, embezzlement, inflation of bills, abuse of office, nepotism to the looting of public property, cultism, impersonation, false declaration, examination malpractice, alteration of date of birth, ghost worker syndrome, quackery, and manipulation.
“Corruption is corrosive, polluting, debasing, and infectious. Already contaminated, the lives of most of our people, young and old, are deeply steeped in corruption.
“Corruption is one of the major reasons millions of our people have been reduced to a life of grinding poverty, undeserved misery, and wanton suffering.
“In the war against corruption, we should, however, not lose sight that this vice has many dimensions. It is an economic problem, which could be minimized by the improvement of the economy.
“This is because some people take to corruption in other to support many of their dependants; among whom are those who have completed their education and could normally cater for themselves should they have gainful employment.
“Accordingly, while the government enacts laws to eliminate bribery and corruption, concrete and concerted efforts should be made to improve the working conditions of workers, create more jobs, equip youths with job market-driven skills, and provide for the spiritual and moral enlightenment of our people, especially the young ones in school.
“They are most deserving of our respect and esteem for their patriotism, gallantry and spirit of sacrifice. It is a very noble cause to lay down one’s life for the good of others in one’s nation or other nations. While we applaud them for their unselfish love, let us not forget the families they left behind to mourn them.
“Many of the families of these fallen heroes are under severe hardship and depend on the wider society for the alleviation of their sufferings. Nigeria used to be a haven of peace and a home of the hospitality industry that attracted people from far and near.
“Unfortunately, recent years bequeath us the horrifying memories of bloody conflicts, mindless blood spilling, and countless numbers of kidnappings in the state. Although there are no reports of bloody attacks or kidnapping during the last Christmas season, the dawn of a new year prompts the question of whether the new year would be one of peace and a renewed sense of brotherhood in our communities and state,” he said.