Kaigama who spoke during Sunday Homily at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral in Abuja with the theme, “The Merciful Face of God,” asked Nigerian leaders to learn from the biblical Zacchaeus who after having an encounter with Jesus promised to pay back in four folds those he cheated.
The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama has advised Nigerian leaders who looted public and private treasuries to return the stolen funds to those duped and seek God's forgiveness.
Kaigama who spoke during Sunday Homily at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral in Abuja with the theme, “The Merciful Face of God,” asked Nigerian leaders to learn from the biblical Zacchaeus who after having an encounter with Jesus promised to pay back in four folds those he cheated.
The cleric maintained that Nigeria can only experience greater success when greed changes to generosity and selfishness to selflessness, The Punch reports.
The Archbishop advised the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that all the proceeds of crime and recovered national assets are put to judicious use, by using the same in building first-class, well-equipped and properly managed hospitals in every geo-political zone with citizens having easy access to them.
He said, “Zacchaeus thus broke away from his sinful habits and past ways to recreate a healthy relationship with God. His solemn announcement of his firm commitment to doing justice by sharing his wealth with the poor and making restitution fourfold to the defrauded should be a vade mecum (a guide for ready reference) for our leaders who have for long deprived the poor so much.
“This is a call to mindfulness in our nation, where large sums of money meant for the public good are stolen, misappropriated and diverted by those in political offices and public service. It is not enough to have a change of heart and repent of past sins but to restore to the rightful owners what is truly theirs.
“We continue to hope that the financial crimes and nation crippling activities will be curbed by the relevant financial crime agencies and the recovered national assets will be put into judicious use such as building first-class, well equipped and properly managed hospitals in every geopolitical zone with citizens having easy access to them.
“It is so sad that some of these funds are recovered only to be stolen again by others. Zacchaeus was willing to take up his social responsibility towards his neighbours and so proves for us a model of a new political culture, giving up kleptocratic tendencies for equity and fairness to hold sway."
Speaking on the 2023 general election, Rev Kaigama, said Nigeria will experience greater success when greed changes to generosity and selfishness to selflessness.
Exposing the tricks politicians are deploying to win the 2023 elections, he said, "In this political season, people, depending on their political leaning, loyalty or sensitivity are filled with morbid fear and demonstrate paranoid political tendencies and hypersensitivity. Some people want to fight their way to power. Some apply the allure of money; some by gentle persuasion, but some, by hook or by crook.
“Some are so bitter that they neither forgive nor forget political wrongs even if they profess belief in God. Some exclude dialogue and friendly encounters and if you dare to say a good word, a positive word, about an opposition partner, or be seen in his/her company you become their instant enemy. This is what I call immature politics or politics without principles or decorum.
“Such people can unleash venomous anger on others for daring to be different. Instead of wooing you, they try to antagonize or even dehumanize you; making you feel you are committing an offence. Why fight and be ready to injure others for political interests?
“Ready to terminate life or assassinate character? Rubbish others even when you know deep within you that it is not right? Today, we should open up our hearts and minds to God, and ask Jesus to reach out to all of us as He did to Zacchaeus. We ask for an outpouring of grace to be true to our personal commitments.”