By: Joy Odor/Kaduna
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has vowed not to give up on the hope for a great, prosperous and peaceful nation a Nigeria look forward to the general elections come 2019
According to them in a communique issued at the end of its one-week Second Plenary Meeting held in Sokoto State on 6th-to-14th of September, 2018 said for the dreams of the Country to be achieved, Nigerians must embrace a new way of governing themselves, noting that there is need for genuine repentance and sincere moral transformation.
The CBCN encourage all registered voters to ensure that they are equipped with their voter’s card, reject and denounce the illegal practices of selling and buying of votes, saying despite the deception and defections, Nigerian voters must be wise enough to show some the politicians, who may have so much to hide, that they can run, but they cannot hide.
“It is the right of Nigerians to fully participate in the electoral process without intimidation and violence. The responsibility for this lies on all of us.
“We demand that the choice of the electorate, once made, be respected by all. Although elections are not enough to enthrone good governance, they are an important stage in that project.
“And unless we get our electoral process right, elections in Nigeria will only become expensive cosmetic exercises that legitimize corruption and ineptitude” they noted.
On the release of Leah Sharibu and others in captivity of Boko Haram, the Bishops continued to demanded the Federal Government to secure the unconditional release of Leah Sharibu.
They maintained that Leah Sharibu is still being held captive because she refused to denounce her Christian faith and therefore demand that the Federal Government ensure the safe release of the remaining Chibok girls and all other persons in captivity against their will.
The CBCN also urged their families to remain hopeful and steadfast in prayers, while assuring them of our prayers as well.
On the youths of the church, the Bishops urge them to continue to distinguish themselves with manifest good values and thus make a remarkable impact on the Church and the society.
They invite all to be attentive to the aspirations of the young people, especially those among them who are poor, internally displaced, victims of exploitation, orphans, and migrants.
The CBCN saddened by the evils of human trafficking, slavery, drug abuse, war, disease, disability, and illiteracy and shall continue to work for their eradication, especially among our youth.
“His Holiness Pope Francis has called for the Synod of the Bishops on the Youth.
“The Church is very much aware that young people, with their challenges and opportunities, are not only the future of the Church but much more, present resources in the Church and the larger society.
“During our first plenary meeting for this year, we paid special attention to the need for promoting entrepreneurship among our young people.
“We followed up on this with other pastoral initiatives in our Dioceses directed towards the youth. These culminated in the National Youth Day, which was held in Calabar, 7 to 12 August 2018, with more than 7000 young people in attendance.
“We invite all to be attentive to the aspirations of the young people, especially those among them who are poor, internally displaced, victims of exploitation, orphans, and migrants.
“We are saddened by the evils of human trafficking, slavery, drug abuse, war, disease, disability, and illiteracy and shall continue to work for their eradication, especially among our youth” They lamented.
