Insecurity, poverty worry Kaduna bishop

The Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Reverend Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, has expressed concern over what he described as “alarming rate of insecurity and poverty in the country”, stressing that the menace of banditry and kidnapping, especially in the North, continues to pose a grave threat to the corporate existence of the country.

Speaking at the 2020 Kaduna Archdiocesan Pastoral Council meeting, Archbishop Ndagoso noted that Nigerians had to contend with socio-economic, socio-religious and ethnic conflicts, and that kidnapping, herders/farmers clashes, banditry and abject poverty also posed a challenge.

Speaking on the security challenges in Kaduna State, he said: “The insecurity situation last year reached a crisis point with many people killed and hundreds of homes and property, especially in Kajuru and Kachia local government areas destroyed.

“Today our country, richly endowed with both human and material resources, is occupying the unenviable position of the world’s capital of poverty due mainly to our inability as a nation to harness and manage our resources for the common good.”

Archbishop Ndagoso urged the church to be an example to the government in the prudent management of scarce resources for the common good and condoled with communities affected by communal clashes and attacks.

He assured them of the continued support and solidarity of the church, while also encouraging priests to continue to promote and foster not only ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue but also inter-ethnic and inter-cultural relations.