CATHOLIC Bishop of Enugu Dioceses, His Lordship Callistus Onaga, on Friday took a hard look at the nation’s socio-economic and political problems and concluded that the seeming hopelessness, fear and instability in the country are due to bad governance by corrupt political office holders.
Addressing journalists at his Court in Enugu on his Christmas message, Bishop Onaga noted there is lack of peace and security, insurgency and banditry in the North, widespread kidnapping, ritual killings, cultism and armed robbery in the South and across the country, adding that there is heightened national tension as a result of the forthcoming 2019 general elections in the country.
Other nagging issues, the Cleric listed included: poor infrastructure and inadequate power supply, government, labour face-off over the proposed minimum wage, industrial actions by members of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and Academic Staff of Polytechnics (ASUP).
Bishop Onaga, however, urged the Christian faithful, political class and other Nigerians to shun violence and other anti-social behaviours and use the coming of Christ as new hope to fallen humanity, pointing out that virtually all the problems facing the country were occasioned by bad governance and primitive embezzlement by corrupt political office holders.
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“My message to all Nigerians, therefore. Is that corruption, whether by the leader or the led and no matter where it occurs, is evil and its practice will not fulfil our hope for a bright future; it cannot engender peace, unity and progress in Nigeria. We should therefore repent and put an end to All that hold us down by acting with integrity in all our ends ours. Let us correct our sinful ways so that we can enjoy love. Peace and hope that the Child Jesus brings to us at Christmas, ” he said.
The Bishop further noted, “The solemnity of Christmas is a very special occasion of encounter and communion. The Child Jesus whom we adore invites us to feel the love of God; that God who came down from heaven and drew close to each of us; to make us his children, a part of his own family: God is showing us in Jesus how to become God’s family and how to change and build, and make a world where everybody is a part of that family; where children do not go to bed hungry where no one has to be lonely.; where justice is real for all and where love is the ultimate law.”
“Christmas is significant. It is the gift of Jesus Christ. The theology of Christmas is the theology of giving of hope to humanity. It is a celebration of love, The fullness of kindness to man by God. God’s love for man is very great. God came in the form of man. The joy of Christmas is eternal. You cannot stop the joy of Christmas. A joy you cannot and can never forget. Even armed robbers and kidnappers stop their crimes to go home and celebrate the Christmas. It bails us out of fallen humanity. It gives us hope especially in Nigeria as things are not going well. Nigeria is in the brink of extinction.
“We should use the period of Christmas to extend our love to others. We should not be preaching terror. We are against those preachers who say if you do not bring this or that you will not get favour from God. Politicians use us to achieve their selfish desires, Commuters/transporters should not make life difficult for others.
“I appeal to politicians to show love to the people. They should give joy to us. We should share in our scarcity. We should not wait until our pocket is full before we show love to others. We should come together and celebrate love. When we see ourselves as one, then 2019 will be better than 201&. We should be prayerful. Journalists should avoid sensationalism in their reportage.
Responding to reporter’s question on forthcoming general elections, Bishop Onaga said, “The church has begun sensitisation on its members with the call for the collection of PVCs. We are preaching to our members to avoid the blame game. Every Christian and indeed Nigerian should go out and vote according to their conscience. We should sit at home on Election Day as say our votes do not count.”
Onaga urged politicians to avoid using the youths for thuggery and violence for their selfish desires, adding that they should also refrain from hate speeches and inflammatory remarks capable causing hatred and divisions in the land.
‘Let there be the spirit of sportsmanship. Do not see politics as do or die affairs. You cannot use young boys and girls to cause trouble, destroy and kill only to go home and sleep. You have a conscience and remember that there are nemeses,” he advised.
and then