By Olivia Obijiaku
The Catholic Bishop of Zaria, Most Rev. Dr. Habila Tyiakonaboi Daboh has called on graduating members of the Nigeria Federation of Catholic Students (NFCS), Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria to make a difference in the world, based on the training they have received in the Church. He made this call in the parish, Sunday, 6th October, 2024, at the Mass of Thanksgiving which he celebrated for the successful completion of their undergraduate studies.
His Lordship, an alumnus of the university who congratulated the celebrants for the milestone they have achieved also thanked the Vice Chancellor Prof Kabir Bala for providing them with the enabling environment to soar. He reminded them that are going into a world full of challenges urging them to remain steadfast even if it means standing alone.
“I congratulate you for finishing here.” The Local Ordinary expressed. “I am happy to be here because I want to be part of your lives in a very special way, to offer prayers that God will take control and open opportunities for you, so that those who want to further their education; those who will want to settle or work will have their desires granted.”
“As graduates, especially as Catholics, you have been equipped not with only circular knowledge but with spiritual wisdom – a treasure found more valuable than any success. You learnt about integrity, solidarity, justice and the dignity of the human person. Now more than ever, the world, and more especially our country Nigeria needs leaders like you – leaders who are guided by these ecclesiastical principles.”
“St John Paul II once said, ‘that the future starts today not tomorrow.’ As you step out of this university gates, you are called to be outstanding agents of change in a fractured world; to stand firm in the face of corruption and dishonesty and work tirelessly for the common good.”
“There is never a perfect society and that is where you are going to. Do not be distracted by the enormity of the problems around you. Stand for justice. Stand for fairness. Stand for equity even if it means standing alone because with God, the minority is the majority.”
“As you graduate and enter the society, a terrain of possibilities, you will be in charge of yourselves. Your lecturers have done their best in training you, in teaching you. It is left for you now to continue. It is simply to say that as you go into the society, be a different person. Let those around you know that your makeup is different; where you are coming from is different; the kind of spiritual knowledge you got is different. And that is, whatever you are doing, you are conscious of the person who is next to you.”
“One of the greatest challenges you will face is the temptation to compromise, especially your values – for convenience, for profit, or for success. Yet your Catholic education has given you a moral compass that should lead you. If you follow that moral compass, I can assure you, you will take the right decisions.”
“Corruption is a plague that undermines the traditions of any society. But let me remind you my brothers and sisters as you go into the society that it is individuals who are corrupt, not the system itself and it is individuals who can change this. When you stand for justice, you detest it in whatever form it has.”
“In the midst of all these, I want you to know that you can make a difference. Do not compromise especially your Catholic faith. So I encourage all of you, as you step out into the world, be distinct, be different from other people and let people know where you are coming from, not just from Ahmadu Bello University but as people who have been trained and nurtured by the Catholic Church. You will not regret it.”
Bishop Daboh enjoined capable persons in the parish and elsewhere to assist the honorees and ensure that they have something doing in order to adjust; settle well in the society, and earn a living.
