As Christians commence 40 days fasting and prayer with Ash Wednesday, Nigerian leaders and Christians have been urged to turn a new leaf, shun corrupt practices and give way for true repentance of their evil acts.
This charge was given by the Catholic Bishop of Osogbo Diocese, Most Rev. John Oyejola and his counterpart in Oyo Diocese, Bishop Emmanuel Badejo in their separate messages to mark this year’s Ash Wednesday celebration which kick-starts the annual Christian fasting and prayer.
Bishop Oyejola appealed to Christians against living in despair, urging them to embrace genuine hope in God that would sustain them in the midst of trials, challenges and economic hardship.
He urged Nigerian political leaders to seize the opportunity of the Lenten season to shun corrupt practices and greed, which have plunged many Nigerians into misery and suffering of varying dimensions.
“To our leaders, politicians, and all those in positions of power and influence, this season of reflection and repentance offers you a unique opportunity to examine the consequences of your actions or inactions on the lives of those you lead. We are in a difficult situation as a people because we have failed to use our resources to positively impact our society. Our well-being is directly linked to the integrity and righteousness of our leaders and the choices they make.
“We have failed to create an environment where our people can thrive and rejoice because our leaders at all levels think first of themselves and their pockets. This Lenten season gives us another opportunity to look at ourselves and turn a new leaf. Our situation is not going to change by magic. Our political leaders, traditional leaders, and spiritual leaders must work with integrity, selflessness, and the love of those they lead. We are failing God and our people.
“When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan” (Proverbs 29:2). This season offers us the opportunity to reflect on the type of leaders we are. God has blessed us and shown us what to do but we are refusing to follow the way of God. The prophet Micah says “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). As leaders, in all our dealings, we are called to make decisions that are fair, just, transparent, and strive to be examples of righteousness, integrity, and to inspire trust and confidence in our people,” Oyejola said.
In his message tagged: “Give Up to Make Up,” Most Rev Emmanuel Badejo, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo, described Lent as “a life-long invitation to repentance and friendship with God and fellow human beings,” noted that the world would be a better place if people repent and do good at everywhere and position of leadership they find themselves.
“We simply must make our lent as practical as possible, for only thus can we make the world better. Who, but human beings can stop the ongoing wars, violence, killing, exploitation and suffering all around? If only all who claim to know God would heed the call to sincerity of heart by the prophet Isaiah (Is. 58), the world would be a much better place. If leaders at every level shun hypocrisy, truly work for peace and cease auctioning the poor and the weak for influence and wealth, lent would have greater meaning and impact.
“As the two greatest religions with the largest followers observe Ramadan and Lent almost simultaneously this year, we cannot ignore our obligation to exert religious, moral and spiritual influence on our world. The faithful of all statuses need to be sincere and live out their commitment. Until then the poor, the weak and oppressed will continue to miss the dividends of true authentic religion, like fraternity, solidarity, harmony, justice, peace and love. Lent urges a return from the dust of our weakness and sinfulness to the good will and plan of God who is always ready to welcome the wayfarer home. “If my people who bear my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my presence and turn from their wicked ways, then I will listen from heaven and forgive their sins and restore their country” (2 Chronicles 7:14). Time is long overdue for pilgrims of hope to earn that divine promise and positively transform every nation and people of the world,” the religious leader stated.
