Archbishop Kaigama Calls for Attitudinal Change

Jos, Nigeria, 21 January 2014: The President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Ignatius Kaigama has called for an attitudinal change on the part of all Nigerians, in order to move the country forward in her quest to be a world major power. He made the call in his Keynote address to the 42nd National Laity Council Conference of the Catholic Church in the country, held at St Louis College, Jos, Plateau State, recently.
Speaking on the theme: A New Nigeria is Possible; the Archbishop of Jos emphasized that attitudinal change is what is needed to bring about a new Nigeria. Using the Brazilian people patriotism as good example, the Archbishop noted that a national consciousness, cultural pride, patriotic disposition that subordinates the personal interests of Nigerians to that of visitors as well as sacrifice are some of the qualities needed in all Nigerians to achieve the desired objective.
Regretting that self-interests and greed are some of the common factors affecting Nigerians, the CBCN President noted that the attitudinal change advocated should “cut across from religious places of worship to academic institutions, security agencies to the civil service, and businessmen/women, students and even children.” He added: the attitude of Nigerians is not directed towards the advocated qualities, the “determination to grow Nigeria to a new reality will be a mirage.”
Also noting peaceful coexistence as another necessary factor towards the emergence of a desired new Nigeria Archbishop Kaigama remarked: “In the past, people of different religious, ethnic and political affiliations lived in peace and harmony,” adding: “Even today, people still generally live in peace in most parts of Nigeria.” He however pointed out that: “… there is some level of distrust and mutual suspicion based on ethnic and religious considerations.”
Archbishop Kaigama added: “The heightened religious fanaticism and ethnic violence have created the impression that there is conflict between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria. While one cannot say that there is war between Christians and Muslims, it cannot be said that all is well between the adherents of these two main religions in Nigeria.”
He continued; “We have witnessed violent conflicts, destruction and tragic loss of lives over trivial issues. The peace that religion should provide is being replaced with hatred, jealousy. Malicious and calculated attempts to outdo the other, killing in the name of God as currently done by Boko Haram, is ignorantly believed to pave way to paradise. It must be mentioned however that most of the conflicts in Nigeria which manifest as religious crises have their roots in social causes outside religion.”
The Bishops’ Conference chairman asserted: “The new Nigerian of our dream will only emerge when men and women like you do your part and every Nigerian becomes jealous about safeguarding our national heritage, appreciating our cultural diversity and utilizing our economic blessings for the benefit of all rather than a few.” He therefore urged men and women of faith to integrate the gospel values into their daily lives and witness to Christ while they work.
The four-day conference was attended by about 300 delegates from all the 54 Archdioceses, dioceses and vicariates in the country, as well as national officers and chaplains of the association and a communiqué on the state of the nation issued at the end of the meeting.
Source: VR Sedoc