The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama, has called for the prompt payment of benefits for the bereaved and improved welfare for veterans to inspire active personnel to serve selflessly.
Kaigama made this appeal during his sermon at the Inter-Denominational Church Service on Sunday in Abuja, commemorating the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration 2025.
The cleric urged political authorities to uphold justice and human rights while ensuring a secure and dignified future for all Nigerians.
“Today, we must never forget those who died gallantly in active service and the families they left behind. We doff our hats to the veterans still alive. A fitting tribute would be to assist their families by donating to them, either personally or collectively.
“The political authorities must ensure the prompt payment of benefits to the families of fallen heroes and pay close attention to the welfare of the veterans still with us. This will motivate those currently serving in the armed forces to give their all by serving selflessly,” he said.
Addressing Nigeria’s insecurity, Kaigama expressed optimism for national recovery but criticised the current state of affairs, which he described as the “peace of the graveyard.”
“Increased insecurity continues to haunt our nation. All hope is not lost; however, we remain optimistic that Nigeria can come back from the brink. We continue to insist that the government has a constitutional and statutory duty to protect human rights and secure basic justice for all.
“The role of government is to guarantee the minimum conditions that make human rights and justice possible. We thank God for the measure of peace we currently enjoy in this country, but our situation resembles the peace of the graveyard,” he added.
He called for collaboration among security forces and equitable resource distribution to bridge societal divides, highlighting the widening gap between the rich and the poor as a breeding ground for resentment and violence.
Kaigama also emphasised the need for compassionate leadership and renewed patriotism to rebuild Nigeria’s unity and prosperity. He condemned ethnic and religious discrimination, urging Nigerians to respect one another’s rights and freedoms.
He called for unity, justice, and mutual respect as essential steps towards peace, stressing that societal harmony begins with recognising our shared humanity.
“There is a message of hope from our President, Bola Tinubu, in his New Year broadcast. He stated, among other things, ‘To all citizens, your sacrifices have not been in vain. Together, let us stay the course of nation-building. The New Year will bring us closer to the bright future we all desire and the Nigeria of our dreams,’” Kaigama quoted President Tinubu.
He concluded his sermon with a prayer for national progress in 2025.
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