Easter: Families struggling to feed, Bishop Kaigama tells political leaders

Archbishop of Abuja, Most Reverend Ignatius Kaigama, in an Easter message, has called on Nigerians to rise above despair and work together to heal a nation battered by insecurity, economic hardship, and political instability.

Speaking under the theme “The Light Shines in the Darkness, and the Darkness Cannot Overcome it” (John 1:5), Archbishop Kaigama emphasized that Easter is not just a religious celebration but a national call to action—one that demands courage, compassion, and commitment from all citizens and leaders alike.

“Our hearts are heavy with grief,” the Archbishop said, citing recent tragedies such as the brutal killing of innocent travellers in Uromi, Edo State, and the recurring massacres in Bokkos and Bassa, Plateau State.

Kaigama raised alarm over the worsening economic conditions, saying hunger now stalks homes across Nigeria.

“Families struggle daily to put food on the table, and children go to bed hungry in a nation so richly blessed”, he said as he called on governments and religious institutions to urgently tackle the crisis with compassion and purpose.

Furthermore, Kaigama also condemned the rising wave of kidnappings, especially the targeted attacks on clergy.

“Every priest kidnapped or murdered is a blow to the conscience of our nation,” he warned.

The Archbishop addressed the recent state of emergency declared in Rivers State, stressing that while interventions can be necessary, they must not deepen existing divisions.

“Let this moment serve as a call to embrace dialogue over division. Power, like life, is transient. We must build bridges, not burn them,” he said.

Kaigama also criticized the surge in inflammatory political rhetoric, warning politicians against prioritizing campaigns over governance.

He said Nigeria is bleeding, the people are hungry, unsafe, and disillusioned, as he urged leaders to focus on security, economic revival, and the restoration of dignity.