By Olivia Obijiaku
The Laity Council of Kaduna Ecclesiastical Province held her 2026 Seminar in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Pastoral Center, Graceland Zaria, between 28th and 30th August, 2026. Speaking on the theme, ‘Empowering the Catholic Laity for Spiritual Renewal, Social Transformation and Responsible Citizenship in this Political Era,’ the Chief Shepherd of the Catholic Diocese of Zaria, Most Rev. Dr. Habila Tyiakonaboi Daboh beckoned on the laity to occupy and influence the public space in positive ways, as a way of bringing about the much needed transformation to the Nigerian society.
His Lordship reminded them of their collective responsibility to speak out through the dailies, radio, television, social media, positing that, “Our silence is deepening, things are going bad because we are quiet. We need Catholic men and women who will engage in public debate and challenge the evils of our society. You must not surrender the public space to people whose only interest is power, money and personal advantage. It is not enough to come and have seminars. It is not enough to dress in your laity uniform. You must become involved in politics.”
“Politics is one of the places where the common good is either upheld or destroyed. We need men and women who will seek public office, not because they want to make money but because they want the right thing to be done. Our country needs politicians who understand that leadership is not about making name or money. Leadership is service. We need people who can cross ethnic, religious and regional boundaries for the sake of the common good. We need you to go politics with good conscience. If good people are not there, we will be ruled and governed by bad people.’
“We need Catholics who bring their Christian values into public life, not by imposing the Church on others. No, but by defending truth, which is objective; defending justice which is universal and human dignity, so that the world can be a better place for us all. Our seminar will only bear fruits, if by coming here, we are able and willing to stand for truth, justice and for peace. May we become instruments to restore dignity, reconcile hearts and build our nation! And may everything we do be for the purpose of serving God and humanity.
”On the day’s first reading on ‘God chose the weak to shame what is strong’ the bishop related that, though some people belittle themselves sometimes, thinking that they are unqualified, God accomplishes great things through people who appear to be insignificant in the eyes of the world.
“You are one of them. God wants to use you. Are you making yourself available? You may not have the money. You may not occupy a political office. You may not be powerful. You may not command thousands of followers. But you can speak and stand for the truth. It could be in your home. It could be in your office. It could be in the market square. When you stand for the truth or stand for the cause of truth, God stands with you.” Bishop Daboh maintained.
