The Emeritus Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan while speaking on the Sunday edition of a TV programmme, Inside Sources on Channels Television, touched on various issues confronting Nigeria, including religious bodies, leadership, and greed.
“I was Bishop for over forty years and have been fully involved in the life of the Christian churches in Nigeria, and the relationship between different churches. We managed to have five blocks that make up the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) because there were so many divisions and diversities in our ranks”
The Cardinal said it is very difficult for Christians to have a common stand regarding any matter in Nigeria.
“The force of Christian Witnesses is very much reduced because the churches don’t have a clear message”
Describing Nigeria as the most religious and corrupt country in the world. He stressed the need to distinguish between “being religious” and “being Godly”.
“The official religious groups in Nigeria have a task of self-examination”, and to ask themselves if they have been projecting the right message of their faith.
“It is not enough to build big churches with many members, but where is the Godliness in all of these?”
Cardinal Onaiyekan further added that if religion does not lead to Godliness, then we have a worse situation.
Speaking on the greed of politicians, Onaiyekan said that the type of homily, sermons, and spiritual directions offered to many greedy followers matters.
“Greedy people also have a way of picking and choosing the type of churches they go to and the preachers they listen to.”
“If they go to a church where they are constantly challenged and made uncomfortable, they won’t come back next Sunday. We need more of that, so they won’t have anything to hide.”
Also, there is so much impunity, he said.- “People take a lot of things that do not belong to them, and nobody will ask– how come? Whereas if a poor man steals a piece of yam in a village, he will be thrown into jail for six months or more.”
Responding to questions on leadership, the Cardinal said that the problem of Nigeria is Leadership. “Considering the various parameters that make- up Nigeria, in terms of population, climate, fertility of the soil, richness of culture, and the ability of Nigerians to showcase what they can do abroad, one will see nothing but a country that is destined for greatness. He said, “This is evident in other nations asking why Nigeria remains underdeveloped despite having wonderful people.”
He added that those who are supposed to be making decisions for the people are not doing that in the interest of the people, leading to a lack of trust in the government by the people.
According to Onaiyekan, the Catholic Church sees leadership as one’s readiness to serve the common good of the people not minding personal interest. “We have a government that is not run based on truth. There have been heavy complaints of huge remunerations of political office holders, which can be likened to – cutting as much as you want from the national cake.”
