The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Revd. Ignatius Kaigama,has challenged the Federal Government to make public the identities of youths,who benefited from the 774,000 jobs it claimed to have created.
This was as Archbishop Kaigama urged authorities to ensure equitable distribution of resources, with a view to eliminating corruption.
His Grace made the call on Sunday in his homily delivered at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral in Abuja.
According to him: “Corruption in the distribution of resources must be eliminated.We recall that the Federal Government had flagged off the 774,000 jobs, with each participant expected to receive N20,000 for three months, to be paid through their bank verification numbers, to eliminate fraudand/or double.
“What impact has been made? Let us know the identity of youth beneficiaries and the quality of help rendered to them.
“We must cultivate a new and better way of living honestly and justly.
“When Nigerians pray, let it not be about a litany of physical needs, but also for honesty to take roots in the hearts of both the poor and privileged Nigerians; so that we are able to discharge our duties honestly with a very strong sense of charity and fairness”
Dwelling on the readings, especially the first reading taken from the book of Exodus, Kaigama called on Nigerians with grievances to ventilate them in a peaceful, non-violent means, like the children Israel did.
His words: “In the first reading we see a protest to Moses by the people in a peaceful and non-violent manner, thus demonstrating the right attitude of tackling social problems. God heard their cry. There are millions of Nigerians with grim hope to earn their daily bread because of unemployment.
“It is however no excuse to take to criminal or violent actions that threaten commercial or agricultural activities and peaceful coexistence. We must use all peaceful means to appeal to Government to do what is necessary and Government must respond quickly so that the large poor populations may not be forced into unending illicit or criminal activities”.
While admonishing Christians against “inordinate” complaints, the local ordinary siad: ”Many want a God who acts like a magician. Little wonder, many Christians today tend to shun those preachers who tell the truth about genuine gospel values, such as dignity of work, honesty, justice, truth, morality repentance, charity, etc. They prefer those who market the “prosperity gospel,” and engage in superficial worship that calls on God only when there is a need, seeing God as a judge or a policeman or a generous farmer who provides meat, watermelons, onions, cucumbers, etc.
“Dear friends, we may be going through hard times in our nation but we must be careful not to complain inordinately. It is one thing to ask God for a favour, it is quite another thing to act before Him as if He owes us a debt to be paid back. We must re-examine our motive for following Jesus. If we follow only for ephemeral desires, these desires will prevent us from appreciating the goodness of God, and will hold us in spiritual bondage.
“It is not uncommon today that most people move from one church to the other, from one religious house to another in search of signs and wonders, miracles, breakthroughs, favours, etc, and not because of their faith in God. They tend to forget to count their blessings and blame God for their misfortunes. Our relationship with God must not be based on how many material things He is able to provide for us but our genuine desire to serve”.
