By Charles Igwe
As the Nigerian Catholic Priests Association (NCPA) Kaduna Chapter marked Priests’ Day, politicians were called upon to reduce the high cost of governance, while citizens were encouraged to pray for effective leadership. Speaking in Kaduna on Tuesday, the Chairman of the NCPA Kaduna Chapter, Rev. Father Joseph Gandu, emphasized the urgent need to address the alarming cost of governance to improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
Reflecting on the recent #EndBadGovernance protests, Fr. Gandu asserted that peaceful protest is a fundamental right of every Nigerian. However, he condemned the looting and violence that marred some demonstrations, stating, “Looting and stealing are not part of protest. We are protesting because the government is asking us to tighten our belts while it isn’t even wearing its own. There is a high cost of governance, and they should make life more affordable. We want our politicians to change—we don’t want the military to take over, we don’t want Russia to rule us, we are praying for our leaders, and we want them to change for good.”
Fr. Gandu also urged the masses to continue praying for Nigeria and its leaders during these challenging times. “Prayer is powerful,” he said. “That’s why Jesus Christ said with prayer, you can do all things. Let’s continue to pray for our leaders and our country, Nigeria. Sometimes when we say pray for our leaders, people ask how we can pray for these wicked people. But when we pray positively, God will change them.”
He acknowledged the insecurity that has kept farmers from their fields, encouraging them to continue farming but to ensure they do so in safer areas.
Rev. Father Gandu explained that the idea of celebrating Catholic Priests’ Day stems from the life of their Patron Saint, John Mary Vianney, whose feast day is observed on August 4th. This year’s celebration was postponed due to pastoral engagements, which necessitated the shift to a later date. He noted that the celebration, initiated by Rev. Fr. Virtus Borogo in Kaduna, continues to be observed in his honor, especially after Fr. Borogo was brutally killed in 2021 while working on his farm.
On the challenges faced by priests in Kaduna, Fr. Gandu acknowledged that while the work is sacrificial, priests are still human and have faced significant dangers in the past. Despite these challenges, he expressed gratitude for the grace to continue their mission.
The highlight of the Priests’ Day celebration was a novelty football match between Teams A and B at the Ahmed Musa Sports Centre in Kaduna.
