OTUKPO, BENUE STATE - The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria have renewed the call for leadership qualities that connote service and love as exemplified by the Holy Father, Pope Francis and his predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. This call was contained in the communiqué issued at the end of their Second Plenary for the 2013, held recently at the Double K Resort, GRA, Otukpo, Benue State. Calling on leaders in all facets of life to emulate the two popes as role models, the Bishops expressed concern over the misuse of public funds, describing it as bane of development of the country. The communiqué was signed by Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Jos and Bishop William Avenya of Gboko, President and Secretary of the Conference, respectively. They commended the inspiring leadership qualities of the Pope as a model of humility, modesty and simplicity and also becoming a beacon of hope for the poor.” They added: “We equally admire his predecessor, Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, who, by his historic and heroic resignation, showed that true leadership is selfless service and that good leadership creates space for others.” Commenting on the misuse of public funds, the Bishops remarked: “That Nigeria is abundantly blessed with resources which do not reflect in the lives of her children is very disconcerting. Fraudulent use of public resources robs the citizens of basic amenities like quality education, befitting health services, pliable roads, steady electricity, portable water supply etc/” They noted that cost of governance in the country is disproportionately high compared to funds released for development of infrastructure and provision of services; adding: “With regard to some public authorities, abuse of power with impunity has been elevated to an art of governance.” The bishops therefore called on people in positions of authority to cultivate values of accountability and transparency as they serve the country and communities “for genuine growth in democratic culture.” They added that the leaders of the country should be guided by the moral and ethical principles of good governance. Speaking on the state of security in the country, the bishops while congratulating the government “for the bold measures to combat terrorism which drastically reduced Boko Haram terrorist attacks, especially in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States,” the bishops called for similar actions against the menace of armed robbery, kidnapping and other criminal activities being perpetrated in different parts of the country. They also expressed concern on the illegal importation and dangerous circulation of small-arms in the country. They also condemned the use of capital punishment to control criminal activities in the country noting that: “The lives of condemned criminals remain sacred and demand compassion.” They further stated: “Capital punishment does not offer criminals the opportunity for repentance in accord with the vision of God about man’s salvation.” The bishops therefore called on government to explore practical measures to prevent criminality and to foster humane ways that would lead to the reformation of criminals.” Speaking on the impasse between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the bishops expressed concern about the crippling effects of the stalemate in the negotiation to end the strike action by ASUU and called on both sides to shift grounds “for the collective responsibility of saving our university education and getting our youths back to the classrooms. They expressed the willingness of the conference to help mediate in the matter as stakeholders in the education of the country’s youths.
Posted on: Sun, 22 Sep 2013 22:32:30 +0000
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