Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja has called on Nigerian leaders across all tiers of government, sectors and institutions to deny themselves of their ill-gotten wealth.
Kaigama said their fasting and prayers would amount to nothing if they continue to wallow in ill-gotten luxury and do little to ease the pains of the suffering people.
The religious leader gave this challenge while rendering his homily during the opening Mass of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria held at the Catholic Secretariat, Abuja on Sunday.
Each year the Catholic Bishops in Nigeria begin their first plenary session in the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja. The Point reports that the ongoing conference is themed: “Jubilee of Hope: A Light for a New Nigeria.”
Addresing other leaders of the Catholic Church in the country who gathered in the Federal Capital Territory led by new Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty, Kaigama tasked past and present leaders across board to take responsibility by denying themselves of their ill-gotten wealth.
“We invite our political, military, traditional, judicial, and religious leaders, past and present, to take responsibility by denying themselves ill-gotten wealth. If we wallow in luxury and do very little to ease the pains of the suffering people, we have missed the point. If we pray and fast but continue to hurt others who are vulnerable, our fasting and prayers are meaningless,” the Archbishop said.
He emphasised on the for Nigerians, especially Christians to intensify their prayer lives and be hopeful in God that the nation would be well again.
The cleric asked citizens to desist from giving undue recognition to the devil, stressing the need for them to use the “Jesus method” of prayer, fasting, almsgiving and living out moral and Christian virtues.
Dwelling on the readings at the Mass taken from Deuteronomy 26:4-10; Psalm 91; Romans 10:8-13; and Luke 4:1-13, Kaigama encouraged Nigerians to renew their hope in God, insisting God is capable of leading Nigeria into a new dawn of justice, peace, and prosperity.
According to him, “We must emphatically resist the devil who continually tempts ethnic and religious groups to be selfish and myopic; husbands and wives to be morally deviant and unfaithful; youths to be recalcitrant and violent; kidnappers to dehumanize fellow human beings for money; militant herdsmen to destroy food crops; religious fundamentalists to kill for reasons they don’t even understand; and bandits to unleash terror on innocent citizens.
While millions of Nigerians are unemployed, the devil and his agents have no problem with the lack of work. They are very busy confusing homes and offices and those in authority. Only the “Jesus method” can checkmate them – prayer. The devil is afraid of prayers. Somehow, we give the devil far more credit than he deserves by attributing to him many things instead of blaming ourselves for the misuse of our freedom.
This season of Lent is a time to enter our own wilderness—through fasting, prayer, and almsgiving—so that we may emerge renewed and ready to embrace the Easter mission of Christ. We are not alone on this journey — Jesus walks with us!
Jesus gives us a framework for how we should walk through Lent, considering the three pillars of this season. He does not say, “If you pray, if you fast, if you give alms,” but rather, “When you pray, when you fast, when you give alms.” This tells us that these are not optional acts but essential elements of our Christian life. Prayer is not about reciting words mechanically—it is about being aware of God’s presence; not only speaking to God; it is also listening to Him. Fasting is not just about giving up food; it is about making space for God. Some of the time and energy we spend on food preparation and consumption can be redirected toward prayer and humanitarian work.
As Nigerians, we still find ourselves in a wilderness of economic hardship, insecurity, corruption, and social division, with many of our brothers and sisters burdened with despair, questioning whether hope is still possible. The Lord reminds us that He is a covenant-keeping God. Just as He brought the Israelites into a new era of grace; just as He led Jesus out of the wilderness to proclaim the Good News, so too can He lead Nigeria into a new dawn of justice, peace, and prosperity.”
“Therefore, I call on Nigerians, to be true to our worship of God. Enough of external religiosity, empty religious symbols, erection of monumental places of worship, competition for religious superiority or supremacy, and doing everything to outdo one another by parading religion instead of living out our religious values.
As we Christians journey towards Easter, let us use this time to pray fervently for our country, to fast from corruption and hatred, and to give generously to those in need. As the Church in Nigeria, we must recommit ourselves to being the light that dispels darkness. We must lead by example in honesty, service, and love. We must call for justice, advocate for the poor, and reject all forms of oppression. A new Nigeria is possible if we, as God’s people, take responsibility for building it with integrity and faith.
All Nigerians can keep hope alive if we choose to be responsible citizens by upholding integrity in our daily dealings, refusing to participate in bribery and corruption, and supporting policies that promote social justice. We can also mentor the younger generation, instilling in them values of honesty, hard work, and patriotism. Above all, in our communities, let us engage in acts of kindness, uplift the vulnerable, and create environments where peace and unity thrive.
The tragic incident in Holy Trinity, Maitama, Abuja, and other places where people were crushed to death in their desire to get food during last Christmas was a terrible embarrassment in a country like Nigeria blessed with immense resources. Despite all this, our collective actions, inspired by faith, can lead to a truly new Nigeria. We are called to take responsibility for wrongs done; it is not enough to confess our ugly past but to practically demonstrate like Zacchaeus, a wealthy leader of the tax collectors, but known to be corrupt, who said to Jesus in Luke 19: 8 “Behold, Lord, one-half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have cheated anyone in any matter, I will repay him fourfold.”
We invite our political, military, traditional, judicial, and religious leaders, past and present, to take responsibility by denying themselves ill-gotten wealth. If we wallow in luxury and do very little to ease the pains of the suffering people, we have missed the point. If we pray and fast but continue to hurt others who are vulnerable, our fasting and prayers are meaningless.
Our Muslim brothers and sisters are observing the Ramadan fast, and we Christians started ours on Ash Wednesday. May all Nigerian Muslims and Christians, live out their penitential seasons with the right spiritual and social attitudes resulting in a happier country, free from hunger, poverty, kidnapping, and corrupt dealings. May God also hear our prayer for the sick and suffering, especially for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, and grant him a more speedy recovery.
May Mary, the Mother of the Redeemer, accompany us in this holy season, and may we emerge from this journey renewed, purified, and victorious in Christ. May the Jubilee of Hope ignite in us a renewed faith, and may the light of Christ guide Nigeria to a future of peace, prosperity, and righteousness. Amen,” he prayed.