Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama, Catholic Archbishop of Abuja.
By Philomena Musa
The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama, has challenged Nigerian leaders to return all they have corruptly looted from Nigeria to the nation’s treasury, and also publicly confess their sins against the people.
The cleric threw the challenge in a sermon delivered at St. Charles Lwanga Catholic Parish in Apo, Abuja, on Sunday, stressing that doing so would make the country a better place going forward.
He drew reference to the open confession and apology by a Kenyan official in a recent video clip in which the politician promised to return all properties and money he acquired through corrupt means.
“How I wish in Nigeria our present and past political leaders will willingly come forward with such courage to tell the truth.
“And, like Zacchaeus, to honestly confess their acts of injustice and corruption committed against the ordinary Nigerians citizens.
“Just imagine the impact, if beginning from our Local Government Chairmen, State Assembly members, commissioners, governors, House of Representative members, Senators, Ministers, Presidents, leaders of various security arms, the Judiciary, etc past and present.
“That they accept to make this type of open confession and express their willingness to return whatever they have taken, obviously not as part of their legitimate earnings but all that they corruptly stole from the people they were/are elected or appointed to serve.
“Should this be honestly and transparently done, we will never need to borrow billions of Dollars from anywhere; hunger and poverty as currently experienced will find Nigeria a hostile place to exist.
“And our social infrastructure and amenities will be competing with those in the so-called “first world.”
“Our embassies around the world, will be overcrowded as foreigners will be clamouring and competing for visas to come to Nigeria,” Kaigama said.
