By Ken Afor
The Catholic Bishops have expressed their concern over the rampant corruption in Nigeria and urged the government to take necessary measures to enhance the economy and combat poverty effectively.
Furthermore, the Bishops highlighted the alarming incidents of senseless violence and abductions in Imo State, which has been plagued by unrest in recent times.
Speaking during a thanks giving Mass held at Maria Assumpta Cathedral in Owerri, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), expressed deep concerns over the rampant corruption in the country.
The occasion which was organized in honor of fallen heroes at this year’s tArmed Forces Remembrance Day also served as opportunity to celebrate Governor Hope Uzodimma’s re-election.
His words, “Corruption is a worrisome vice in our public life. It has gone beyond scale and measure. Corruption is a very complex reality involving moral rottenness, defilement, and loss of integrity.
“It spans a very wide spectrum, ranging from bribery, embezzlement, inflation of bills, abuse of office, nepotism to the looting of public property, cultism, impersonation, false declaration, examination malpractice, alteration of date of birth, ghost worker syndrome, quackery, and manipulation.
“Corruption is corrosive, polluting, debasing, and infectious. Already contaminated, the lives of most of our people, young and old, are deeply steeped in corruption.
“Corruption is one of the major reasons millions of our people have been reduced to a life of grinding poverty, undeserved misery, and wanton suffering.
“In the war against corruption, we should, however, not lose sight that this vice has many dimensions. It is an economic problem, which could be minimized by the improvement of the economy.
“This is because some people take to corruption in other to support many of their dependants; among whom are those who have completed their education and could normally cater for themselves should they have gainful employment.
“Accordingly, while the government enacts laws to eliminate bribery and corruption, concrete and concerted efforts should be made to improve the working conditions of workers, create more jobs, equip youths with job market-driven skills, and provide for the spiritual and moral enlightenment of our people, especially the young ones in school.”
During the commemoration of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Ugorji emphasized the importance of honoring the fallen heroes who sacrificed their lives in different wars and armed conflicts.
He emphasized that these brave individuals fought selflessly to safeguard the lives of others.
He said further: “They are most deserving of our respect and esteem for their patriotism, gallantry and spirit of sacrifice.
“It is a very noble cause to lay down one’s life for the good of others in one’s nation or other nations. While we applaud them for their unselfish love, let us not forget the families they left behind to mourn them.
“Many of the families of these fallen heroes are under severe hardship and depend on the wider society for the alleviation of their sufferings.”
“Nigeria used to be a haven of peace and a home of the hospitality industry that attracted people from far and near.
“Unfortunately, recent years bequeath us the horrifying memories of bloody conflicts, mindless blood spilling, and countless numbers of kidnappings in the state.
“Although there are no reports of bloody attacks or kidnapping during the last Christmas season, the dawn of a new year prompts the question of whether the new year would be one of peace and a renewed sense of brotherhood in our communities and state.
“It is difficult to foresee what this new year has in store for us. I, therefore, appeal to all behind the terror in the state, to give peace a chance.”
According to Vanguard, Archbishop Ugorji further highlighted the detrimental impact of the media war and crusade of calumny on the state, causing immeasurable and irreparable harm.
He said: ‘I call for an end to the media war and the crusade of calumny that has ravaged Imo State for years.
“Incalculable and irreplaceable damage has been done to people’s reputation through mindless mudslinging exercise to the embarrassment of Imolites, home and abroad.
“The protracted media war has presented a distorted image of Imo State to the outside world, generated immense tension, and injected a lot of bad blood in public life in the state.
“It has deepened animosity, distrust, and suspicion among politicians in the state, to the detriment of unity, peace, and progress.
“We shall not ignore the fact that no one can mudsling, without soiling his hands. I call on those engaged in the media war and crusade of calumny, to give peace a chance.”
