The Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Kaduna, has decried the country’s ongoing banditry, insurgency, kidnapping for ransom, herders/farmers conflicts, and multifaceted poverty.
At the 2023 Archdiocesan Pastoral General Assembly on Wednesday in Kaduna, Archbishop Ndagoso urged Nigerians to maintain their vigilance and cooperate with all security personnel.
He remarked, “Unfortunately, our nation continues to lead the globe in having the highest concentration of the very poorest, or those who are living below the poverty line.
“It is our fervent hope and prayer that the incoming administration will pay more attention to the troubling issue of insecurity ahead of the farming season, which is already here to allow farmers access to their farm lands,” the group said.
Indicators inside the communities had made the situation worse, he continued, and he hoped that the incoming administrations at all levels would focus on confronting the hydra-headed monster head-on so that the people could resume living regular lives.
In addition, he expressed sadness with the results of the elections and urged Nigerians to keep having optimistic dreams for their nation.
Bishop Ndagoso sent his sympathies to all the communities and families impacted by the ongoing conflicts between farmers and pastoralists, bandit attacks, and kidnappings. He also thanked the Archdiocese’s faithful for their ongoing assistance in helping the affected people.
He noted that some IDPs were still in need of assistance, particularly those staying with family and friends in areas of Dogon, Kurmi, Kachia, and Rimau, among others, and he made a plea to Nigerians and churches for support in the form of food, clothing, and money.
In order to strengthen ecumenical and interreligious dialogue as well as intercultural ties for the peaceful coexistence of humanity, he urged priests and other pastoral agents to keep bridging gaps across ethnic, religious, political, and social boundaries.
