Kaigama also called on the government to improve infrastructure as he recounted his trips to Portugal and Spain
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Ignatius Kaigama, has told President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to focus on uniting Nigerians, fighting corruption and improving infrastructure during his tenure.
He said this on Sunday while speaking at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral, Abuja, where he noted the country is currently divided along socio-political and economic lines.
He said, “It is no secret that we are divided along ethnic, social, economic, and political lines; but we must strive harder to live out the spirit of our national motto, ‘unity and faith, peace and progress.’
“Our leaders must take the lead in the pursuit of what unites, foster a true spirit of nationhood, good neighborliness and patriotism over sectional interests, ethnic loyalty, or religious myopia.”
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Kaigama also called on the new government to improve the nation’s infrastructure as he recounted his recent experiences in Portugal and Spain, to highlight the sharp contrast between Nigeria and the two European countries.
He said, “While I was abroad, I had no experience of failure of electricity; no water shortage; I saw good roads which lead to small settlements. I could leave for the airport at 2 am or 4 am with no slightest fear of being attacked by bandits or terrorists.
“Nigeria is unable to construct excellent hospitals and schools, and our leaders with the means are often seen patronizing these institutions abroad where things are working normally, instead of replicating the same facilities at home.”
The clergyman went on to counsel Tinubu to restore security in the country and fight corruption, while also warning against getting into more debt through borrowing.
“We call on our leaders to restore security, break the network of corruption, and reduce the high cost of governance. 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.” he further said.
Kaigama urged the government to mitigate the effect of the recent fuel price increase occasioned by the removal of petroleum subsidies.
He, however, encouraged Nigerians to love one another and work together to build a better country.