The Bishop of the Diocese of Nsukka, Enugu State, Godfrey Onah, has called on Nigerians to remain hopeful and take personal responsibility in rebuilding the country. Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday during a thanksgiving service marking the end of Rev. Fr. Uchechukwu Obodoechina’s tenure as the Executive Secretary of Caritas-Nigeria, Bishop Onah emphasized the crucial role citizens must play in the nation’s progress.
Caritas-Nigeria, an agency of the Catholic Church, focuses on improving the welfare of the poor. While acknowledging the difficulties facing the nation, Onah stressed that the solution to Nigeria’s challenges lies in the hands of its people.
“Nigerians should know that Nigeria is in the hands of Nigerians, only Nigerians can solve the problem of Nigeria, and the worst thing we can do is to give up hope on Nigeria,” the cleric stated. He urged citizens to stop placing blame on others and instead focus on contributing to the greater good.
Onah also called on the government to take its responsibilities seriously and improve the quality of life for its citizens. He highlighted the work of organizations like Caritas-Nigeria and other NGOs as essential but criticized the government for failing to meet its obligations.
“Interventions like Caritas-Nigeria are necessary, but when these organizations are doing more than they should, it reflects poorly on the government,” Onah noted.
Rev. Fr. Obodoechina, who led Caritas-Nigeria for eight years, expressed gratitude to God, the Church, and all who supported the agency’s work. He also urged the government to ensure that Nigerians can live with dignity, as seen in other parts of the world.
“It is important for the government to step up its responsibilities. It has the duty and mandate to protect the lives and property of citizens,” Obodoechina remarked. He added that while international bodies continue to assist Nigerians, the government must do more to fulfill its role.
The event underscored the need for collective effort from both citizens and the government to address the nation’s pressing issues.
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