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Kaigama Urges Nigerians to Pray, Rid Nation of Corruption

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Archbishop  Ignatius Kaigama of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja on Sunday charged Nigerians to pray and rid the nation of corruption and other  social vices.

 Kaigama, who gave the charge during his homily, at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral in Abuja, stressed that genuine prayer must include praying for your enemies,

 He said that Nigerians must have a large heart to be able to love and forgive one another  without pre-conditions and to treat all with dignity even if they differ from you.

 The Archbishop noted that the polarisation of Nigerians, either along religious or tribal lines,  and the over-emphasis of our differences have had far reaching negative consequences that permeate and manifest in almost every  facet of life.

 ”Like Mary Magdalene, Peter and John in the Gospel, we must disseminate good news and nothing else; not bad news, not news of violence and despair or the news of division and hate.

 ”Our leaders can bring Nigerians good news; our security agents, public servants, and others must be honest in their  works  and good news will follow. The ordinary citizens can,  also individually and collectively, behave with the fear of God and their activities will become good news.

 ”This will only be  possible when we accept to stand on the common grounds of our national aspirations, to see in one another: brothers and sisters, beyond unhealthy prejudices and artificial boundaries.

“We must  pursue our causes in line with the nation’s mission statement on its coat of arms: ‘unity and faith, peace and progress.’

 ”It is urgent that we put our swords into their  ploughshares and spears into their  pruning hooks (cf. Is. 2:4) and embrace one another in love.”

 Kaigama said that the country had had enough of the impunity, bloodshed and the crimes of kidnapping, banditry,  and terrorism.

 ”We need today in this nation more patriotic men, youths and, especially, women,  who should be allowed to go beyond feeble political participation to bring about a new Nigeria.  And by the grace of God, together, we shall succeed,” he said.

 ”We need to continue prayers for our brothers and sisters who are  still held in captivity by their abductors  such as :  Leah Sharibu, the remaining Chibok girls, the students of the College of Forestry in Kaduna State.

 ”Let us remember the very sick who are unable to celebrate Easter with us either on account of the COVID-19 pandemic  or some other crippling sickness, or because of civil unrest, insecurity, violent attacks by unidentified persons, hardship occasioned by the global economic downturn.

“Let us pray that God will intervene in their situations.

” I wish all of us the blessings of the risen Lord and may His peace never depart from us and from our nation,” he said.

 The Archbishop said that Easter Sunday is a total reversal of the gloom of Good Friday. Jesus’ death which seemed to be a defeat is shown as a triumph, a victory over sin and death.

 He added that the celebration of Easter for us is our desire “to know Christ and the power of his resurrection, and  share in his sufferings by becoming like him in his death to attain the resurrection from the dead” (Phil. 3:10-11).

 ”While Christmas is only a “mission begun”, Easter is a “mission accomplished”. At Easter, we recount that great mystery that brought the world salvation and completed the story of our redemption.

 “Therefore, Easter is not simply one feast among others, but the “feast of feasts”, the “solemnities of solemnities”.

 ”An expatriate Muslim who brought me an Easter hamper with very warm greetings two days ago asked me what we celebrate at Easter.

 ”I explained that we celebrate Jesus’s redemptive suffering and death and the fact that He rose three days after He was buried, we and the whole world are illumined by the light of His resurrection.

 ”For us, that Jesus rose from the dead is not in question, even though the chief priests and the elders bribed the soldiers to tell lies that the disciples stole the body of Jesus at night when the soldiers were asleep (cf. Mt. 28:11-15).

 ”Peter in Acts 2 and in 1 Peter 1:17-21 reaffirms the historical certainty of the resurrection and its dramatic impact on the faith of the early Christian community,” Kaigama said.

 He also explained that the resurrection is the reason for our faith.

He said that  if Christ had not risen, our faith would have  been  a mere myth; our sacramental celebrations would have been  empty rituals and our Christianity would have been  an association of mere convenience.

 ”But we know as a matter of conviction, that Christ died, rose and will come again.”

In the first reading,  Peter reminds his audience that he and the Apostles were witnesses to all that Jesus did both in Judea and in Jerusalem (cf. Acts 10:38-39).

 ”Peter teaches that it is only those who truly experience Jesus who can witness to Him effectively.

 ”Witnessing should be a deliberate and conscious effort to live out the Gospel values of Christ with due diligence and faith, by words and examples wherever we find ourselves: at work, school, home, shopping mall, family meetings or community gatherings.

 ”St. Paul tells us in the second reading to look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is, sitting at God’s right hand (cf. Col. 3:1).

 ”As an Easter people, we must run the Christian race in sincerity and truth and gaze more on heavenly things for the world will one day pass away and heaven shall be our eternal home,

 “If we must go and “make disciples of all nations,” (Mt. 28:19-20), Christ must penetrate that sacred space in the innermost part of our being in order to transform us, so that we can experience that burning sensation of faith and say, “did not our hearts burn when Christ was speaking to us?” (Lk. 24:32),” he said.

 The Archbishop said that the risen Christ is concerned about our unity, harmony and peaceful co-existence among the multi ethnic and religious people of our country.

He said that we should always  pursue national development devoid of rancour, by exploring civilised approaches in addressing real or perceived grievances.

He said,  ”And as the former British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, said, our politicians should be ready to be leaders rather than politicians.

 ”The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria(CBCN)  believes that prayer can move mountains, and so, they composed the  “Prayer for Nigeria in Distress” and the “Prayer against Bribery and Corruption.” (NAN)

Religion

Palm Sunday: CAN President Tasks Leaders to Emulate the Humility of Christ 

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By Laide Akinboade, Abuja 

President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh on Sunday,  tasks leaders in Nigeria to always ensure they  emulate the virtue of unity and humility exemplified by Jesus Christ no matter the situation and ensure peaceful coexistence.

His Eminence stated this in his message to Christian faithfuls marking  the Palm Sunday, and made available to media in Abuja, he said in the midst of challenges ranging from insecurity, economic uncertainties amongst others, this period offers everyone a beacon of light and inspiration.

The  statement which His Eminence, personally signed, he said: “As we observe Palm Sunday, a day that holds profound significance in the Christian faith, I humbly extend my heartfelt greetings to all Nigerians.

This sacred day commemorates the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, a moment marked by jubilation, hope, and symbolism that transcends time.

“In the midst of our current realities in Nigeria, where we are confronted with a myriad of challenges ranging from social unrest to economic uncertainties and tensions, the essence of Palm Sunday offers us a beacon of light and inspiration.

“The image of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, instead of a war chariot or an exotic means of transportation, and being welcomed by crowds waving palm branches and laying their cloaks on the ground, serves as a poignant reminder of humility for our leaders and the power of peace and collective faith for all citizens.

“In reflecting on the lessons of Palm Sunday for contemporary Nigerian society, we are called to emulate the virtue of unity exemplified by Jesus Christ. Just as the people of Jerusalem set aside their differences to welcome the Prince of Peace, let us set aside our prejudices, grievances, and animosities to foster a spirit of harmony, reconciliation, and understanding among ourselves.

“At this critical juncture in our nation’s history, as we navigate through turbulent waters and strive towards a more prosperous and equitable society, let us draw strength from the enduring message of Palm Sunday. Let us remember that in times of adversity, faith can move mountains and bridge divides, and love can conquer all.

“Witnessing the unfolding events in our nation, let us heed the call to action embedded in the spirit of Palm Sunday. Let us be beacons of hope and agents of positive change in our communities, extending a hand of friendship to our neighbors, showing kindness to the marginalized, and upholding justice for the oppressed.

“As we embark on this journey of reflection and renewal during the holy season of Palm Sunday, may we be guided by the timeless teachings of Christ, and may we emerge as a stronger, more united Nigerian society, bound together by the common values of peace, justice, and solidarity. May the blessings of Palm Sunday be upon you and your families.”

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Religion

Ash Wednesday: Be Sensitive to Plight of Nigerians, Cleric to Political Office Holders 

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Rev. Fr. Christian Oji, the Parish Priest, Holy Family Parish Ologo in Enugu North Local Government Area of Enugu State, has appealed to political office holders to be sensitive to the plight of Nigerians.

Oji, who made the appeal in his Ash Wednesday sermon, advised politicians to use the lenten period to end the current economic hardship facing Nigerians.

The priest said that the political class appeared to be insensitive to the people’s sufferings, adding that the challenges facing the country were not natural but man-made.

“This is as a result of wrong policies, corruption, wickedness and insensitivity of many political office holders.

“I call on our leaders to have a rethink and come back to Christ, who is the giver of knowledge to seek wisdom to rule Nigeria.

“They should do everything humanly possible to change the face of Nigeria because people are really suffering, while the country is going down.

“Unless they take action now, something drastic may happen in future but we don’t pray for that.

“I call on them to rise and emulate Christ by making efforts to change Nigeria,” the clergyman said.

He also spoke on the meaning of the Ash Wednesday, being the beginning of Lent.

According to him, the event signifies that we are nothing but ash and ash we shall return.

“It is a period where churches all over the world come together to make preparations to undergo 40 days retreat bearing the cross with Christ.

“Ash Wednesday as the beginning of Lent, runs through 40 days before Easter, and today serves as the beginning of those 40 days of intensive retreat among Christians to reflect the passion of Christ.

“It signifies that we are nothing but dust and we are going back to dust, and it also makes us understand that apart from Christ we are nothing.

“Therefore, Christians are expected to engage in spiritual activities of fasting, praying, abstinence and alms giving,” Oji said.

He said that the message of Ash Wednesday and Lent was for humanity to give their lives to Christ.

“With the spate of insecurity, economic hardship, it is time that Christians came together to pray fervently for God to take control of this country.

“We should pray to God to intervene and deliver this country from going into self-destruction,” he said. (NAN)

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Christmas: CAN Youth Wing calls for Sober Reflection

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The Youth Wing, Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), has called on Nigerians to use Christmas as a moment of sober reflection to redirect all thinking and actions towards nation building.

The Chairman of YOWICAN, Enugu State, Mr Chekwube Ani, made the call in a Christmas message made available to newsmen in Enugu on Sunday.

According to Ani, Christmas should not be a time of festivities alone.

It should be a moment of deep sober reflection.

He said: “We should take out time in this season to evaluate ourselves and the society to see how much we have appreciated and promoted the salvation work of God.

“The gift of Jesus, whom we celebrate His birth during Christmas, is for reconciliation and salvation of mankind.

“This gift of Jesus was borne out of love and is for all men, John 3:16. Therefore, let us take this season to reconcile with our maker and demonstrate love to one another as God did to us.

“As we celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ this year, let us be mindful of who we celebrate; what He represents and what He does.”

Ani also appreciated Gov. Peter Mbah, for the massive work done in security, health, education, agriculture, road construction, water project, tourism and other infrastructural works ongoing around the state.

He said: “We pray for Grace to sustain this great work. Also, we urge the people of Enugu State to support the government for more dividends of democracy.

“Congratulations to His Excellency, Peter Mbah, on his recent victory at the Supreme Court. Indeed, our tomorrow is here with great expectations.” (NAN)

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