President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently met with Catholic Bishops from Nigeria at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a better Nigeria. This Catholic Bishop’s meeting with Tinubu was significant, as it came after the Catholic Bishops Conference criticized the Tinubu administration for its handling of national issues.
During the meeting, the President acknowledged the bishops’ concerns but emphasized the progress made under his leadership, particularly in areas such as security, economic stability, and youth empowerment. He highlighted the importance of collective efforts to fight poverty, which he noted affects everyone regardless of religion.
The Catholic Bishop’s meeting with Tinubu underscored the ongoing dialogue between the government and religious leaders as they work together to address Nigeria’s pressing issues. The President commended the Catholic body’s commitment to education and healthcare, and promised to look into ways to support students in private institutions.
The delegation, led by Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference and Archbishop of Owerri, included prominent figures such as Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah and John Cardinal Onayikan. The bishops called for a well-defined vision of religion as a force for moral integrity and patriotic unity without necessarily impinging on individuals’ fundamental rights.
They emphasized the need for religious practice in Nigeria to foster unity rather than division. Additionally, the CBCN proposed that the government should hands-off sponsorship of religious pilgrimages to curtail waste and corruption. “The government should allow religious groups to take full responsibility for organising pilgrimages,” they suggested.
Read Also: APC Planning to Suppress Opposition, Persecute El-Rufai – SDP
The Catholic Bishop’s meeting with Tinubu highlighted the importance of collaboration between the government and religious leaders in promoting national unity and peace. The President thanked the bishops for their prayers and assured them of his commitment to unity and national development, stating that his administration would not be swayed by religious bias.
“We’ve been together for some time. We have an open-door policy. I will not shut my door,” President Tinubu assured the bishops. He also expressed his pride in the country’s progress, citing improvements in security, agriculture, and investments.
The meeting also touched on the issue of insecurity, with the President noting that security agencies are making progress in curtailing insecurity. He thanked religious leaders for their prayers, which he believes have contributed to the country’s newfound optimism.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, also attended the meeting and emphasized the need for national unity and support for the government’s efforts to reposition the country. He noted that the national value charter, championed by President Tinubu in his 2025 New Year message, will soon be launched to ensure that Nigerians come together to reclaim their lost values.
The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, also attended the event, which underscored the importance of collaboration between the government and religious leaders in promoting national unity and peace.
