By Joy Odor
The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, His Grace, Ignatius Kaigama has expressed dismay that there is no credible template created by the Federal Government by which the corruption war would be fought.
Archbishop Kaigama made this known at the interactive session with the Catholic Media Practitioners of Nigeria as part of activities to commemorate the 2021 Catholic World Communication Day celebrated every 16th of May, of each year in Abuja on Friday.
The Abuja Archbishop lamented that the necessary loopholes through which monies are siphoned from the public treasury are yet to be plugged.
“There is the strong perception that our economy is heading for the doldrums and unless the menace of corruption is scotched, it will only be a matter of when and not if before this is actualised-God forbid.
“We are yet to witness a concerted effort by the government to ensure that public officials accused of greed and grafts are brought to book without delay or debate.
“What is more, the necessary loopholes through which monies are siphoned from the public treasury are yet to be plugged, giving credence to the assertion that there is no credible template created upon which the war on corruption is to be fought” Bishop Kiagama noted.
Bishop Kaigama who spoke on many national issues in his speech such as corruption, economy, youth, covid-19, unemployment and security was of the opinion that proliferation of different forms of self help security organizations is evidence of security deficiency.
He urged governments to open up discussion, debate and dialogue on the issues at hand across political party, religious and ethnic lines.
He called on Government at all levels to ensure that terrorists are checkmated, criminals rounded up, bandits dismantled and kidnappers put out of business.
“At the moment, Insecurity is the greatest challenge facing our country. Boko Haram has menacingly revaged the land, the herdsmen and farmer menace has festered and spread and has today development into banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and brutal killings.
“As many Nigerians cry out, the Presidency and the Congress in the United States have signed to us to put our house in order. The House of Lord’s in the United Kingdom had debated the Nigerian security situation. Nigeria is said to be the third country most impacted by terrorists.
“We called on the Government to do the needful in ensuring that terrorists’ are checkmated, criminals rounded up, bandits dismantled and kidnappers put out of business. The proliferation of many forms of self help security Organizations is evidence of security deficiency. Government should open up discussion, debate and dialogue about the issues at hand across political party, religious or ethnic lines” he stressed.
On unemployment and youth, the Archbishop of Abuja said the unemployment in Nigeria is not only alarming but a national embarrassment.
According to him, corruption among public officials does not set good example for the youth today, advising that the energetic, dynamic and innovative youth must be able to shape the future they will inherit while the leaders should ensure the young people are given a level playing ground in both economic and political matters.
Bishop Kaigana therefore challenged all media to use communication skills to build bridges that creates unity, peace to share the beauty of God.
