Bishops urge Gen. Buhari to check political, economic excesses

www.odogwublog.com reports that the Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has tasked in-coming administration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to check

political and economic excesses weighing down the progress of the country.

The President of the CBCN, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, said this during a homily at the consecration of Most Rev. Denis Isizoh, the new auxiliary Bishop of Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha in Anambra on Friday.

Kaigama noted that Buhari should chose a working team with proven integrity and commitment to project the common good of the country in order to enhance her prosperity.

``We continue to pray for better time in Nigeria in terms of security, employment for the youths, honesty in government dealings, improvement in infrastructure and facilities but more importantly, a fundamental change of attitude from self centeredness to considering the interests of others before ours.

``We pray for Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and his incoming administration that he and his team, which I believe will be carefully chosen, both in quality and size, will contribute in healing the wounds caused by political excesses and economic wastefulness.

``And also help Nigerians to overcome parochial interests and aggressively pursue the common good so that Nigeria can truly be one big, happy and peaceful family,’’ he said.

Kaigama, who is the Archbishop of Jos, urged Nigerians in their little capacities to be agent of change by living selfless lives that think more of the common good of people around them.

``While we demand good governance from those voted into positions of service, we demand equally a change of mentality on the part of all Nigerians beginning from the roadside corn seller, the mechanic, the filling station attendant, the messenger to the senior government officials.

``To change from selfish personal or narrow regional interests to what works for the good of all of us,’’ he said.

On the newly consecrated Bishop Denis Isizoh, Kiagama charged him to build bridges with other denominations and Christians within and outside his jurisdiction.

``We call on you to bring all the rich experience in Rome back home and build a new Nigeria devoid of hatred, ethnic and political antagonism of people in your jurisdiction,’’ he said.

The Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Augustine Kasujja, said that Pope Francis was delighted to bring back Bishop Isizoh to come and help the expanding number of faithful in Nigeria.

Kasujja revealed that the Catholic Church have close to two million active worshippers within Onitsha Archdiocese alone; adding there was a need to assist the archdiocese with an experienced and dedicated hand.

The Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, said that he was grateful to God, the Pope, the Church and many others for making an auxiliary bishop possible for the archdiocese.

Okeke prayed that the reign of the new Bishop would be long, peaceful and prosperous.

In a goodwill message, Gov. Willie Obiano thanked the archbishops, bishops and other dignitaries for coming to Anambra; while assuring that the state government would assist the new bishop to succeed in his assignments.