Anglican Primate Condemns ‘Looting’ Of National Treasury

Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba, has condemned the looting of the national treasury and theft of the country’s natural resources on a daily basis by its leaders.

Ndukuba told journalists during the Easter celebration in Abuja that the looting and stealing are done before the eyes of Nigerians, which has shown the desperation of leaders to use the opportunity they have to amass wealth and property for themselves.

The primate said that in Nigeria presently, the citizens are discouraged and no longer have confidence in the nation’s leadership, because political leaders are running after what they can get for themselves and not for the people.

He called on leaders at all levels to emulate the spirit of sacrifice exhibited by Jesus Christ by sacrificing for the good of Nigerians.

“Leadership sacrifice cannot be found when you look at the way the national treasury is being looted, the country’s natural resources are being stolen, even before the eyes of Nigerians, and the way people are just using every opportunity they have, to amass wealth and property for themselves.

“Where is the sacrifice, where is the service? Where is the selflessness in leadership? When we look at Jesus, we see love, we see sacrifice, we see selflessness, we see purpose being fulfilled. We want to call on our leaders at such a time as this. Let us sacrifice for the good of the people and for this nation.

“Nigeria has all it takes to be a great nation. But what we are in search of now, is a leadership that will be able to sacrifice and lead the people by example, standing for what is right. Not only those in politics, but also our judiciary, not only the judiciary, but also our religious leaders, both Christians or Muslims,” he said.

Ndukuba also called on political leaders in Nigeria to use their positions to alleviate the plight of the downtrodden in the society, saying that Jesus washing the feet of his disciples shows humility and compassion.

“Jesus demonstrated love towards his disciples, including Judas Iscariot, who he knew was to betray him. Even by the time that Jesus was washing the feet of Judas, Judas was carrying 30 pieces of silver in his pocket, and yet he accommodated him,” he said.

According to the primate, leadership means that they will serve others because Jesus said that anyone that wants to be used must be the servant of all, and he showed it.

“He also showed us that there is no work that is too small. Even if we are in big offices or small offices or washing toilets or sweeping the street or walking in the farm.

“Let us do it with all our heart as unto God. That is the opportunity where God has given us to serve God or to serve humanity and that is the greatest thing that can happen to us,” he said.