₦airaland Forum

President Tinubu to Catholic Bishops: I Understand Your Concerns, but We Have to Build a Nation

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that he fully understands what Nigerians are going through but that the present economic reform is necessary to build a resilient country and guarantee our children's future.

The President said this Friday in Abuja when he received the Catholic Bishop's Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).

President Tinubu highlighted the importance of citizens and leaders investing in the nation to build a strong society. He emphasised that poverty affects everyone regardless of religion and called for collective efforts to fight it. He stressed that the tax reform presented a good investment opportunity for citizens to build their nation.

"Yes, removing the fuel subsidy was hard, tough for me, but it's a hard choice that Nigeria must face. We are not going to bankrupt our country.

"We were spending the investment of the future of our children yet unborn; We were spending their rights, and poverty has no religious basis. There's no religious colouration, no identity. It affects all, and we must fight it together," the President emphasised.

On the request to return mission schools that governments have taken over, President Tinubu said schools are subnational entities, not owned by the Federal Government.

"I've been a good example as the governor of Lagos state. I returned all the mission schools".

President Tinubu commended the Catholic body's commitment to education and healthcare.

He added that he set up NELFUND to ensure that no student dropped out of school due to a lack of funds for tuition fees. He promised to look at ways to help students of private institutions that NELFUND does not cover.

President Tinubu noted that the security agencies were already curtailing the nation's insecurity, stressing that adherents of all religions felt the impact of the efforts.

"This insecurity, everyone is affected, Christians, Muslims alike. I have no religious bias; I won't be a bigot. My wife is a pastor of Redeemed Christian Church. But we have to think of our country; this country must develop and must stand beyond religious bigotry. And I'm here open to you, ready to listen.

"We've been together for some time. We have an open-door policy. I will not shut my door."

The President thanked religious leaders for their prayers, as the country is already witnessing a better deal and a newfound optimism. He highlighted the competition among operators in the petroleum sector, the bountiful harvest enjoyed by farmers, and the lower prices of commodities, adding that investments are flowing into the country.

"There is hope; people are coming in to invest. They are saying good things about Nigeria. I am very proud of that. What seems to be a very difficult beginning is now showing us hope. And we are not half-time yet. I'm happy to see this period alive and healthy, and I am thankful to all of you for your prayers.

Most Reverend Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, the Archbishop of Owerri and the CBCN President, who led the delegation of 20 Bishops from across the country, said they were at the State House to congratulate President Tinubu on his victory, having not had the opportunity last year, and to commend him for his efforts to reposition the country and share some concerns.

"Your government's policy mantra is anchored on the principles of Renewed Hope. In this regard, we are pleased to inform you that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, has declared this year as the year of hope, the Jubilee Year of Hope, a theme we adopted for our conference. We came with the final fruits of our deliberations and will share them with you."

He said the removal of fuel subsidies had undoubtedly affected the people and commended the tax reform initiative, which he believed would "generate, in the long run, more resources for advancing the common good."

He acknowledged the efforts of security agencies to curtail insecurity in the land. Still, he urged for more concerted efforts to "rekindle hope and inspire confidence in the hearts of our people."

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.

According to them, "efforts should be made to ensure that religious practice in Nigeria fosters unity rather than division."

On religious pilgrimages, the body said that government should hands-off sponsorship to curtail waste and corruption.

"The government should allow religious groups to take full responsibility for organising pilgrimages. In their current structure, the national and state pilgrims' boards serve neither their adherents nor the broader interest of the nation. You're undoubtedly aware of the instances of corruption that have led to the removal of some board executives to ensure greater efficiency and accountability.

"We would propose that public funds be redirected towards pressing national needs," the CBCN President said.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, who was also at the event, recalled his attendance at the Charismatic Bishop Conference in 2024, emphasising the need for the nation to remain together, to be united, to be focused, and to maintain support for the government, even in the face of temporary hardship.

"It is no news that in any reform that happens in all parts of the world, temporary hardships are usually experienced. And we're happy to note that today, not only does the federal government have more money to spend to bring about the kind of promises that the President made at the very beginning, but also to ensure that the future, according to the President, as he always says, the future of our children and the children yet unborn, will not be frittered away."

Mohammed said security had greatly improved in the nation. "In 2023, I know how difficult it was to move from Abuja to Kaduna; it is almost impossible just to take your car, fuel it, and begin to go on that road. Today, this is not the case. We know that farmers used to find it extremely difficult to go to the farms. We know that this has not completely gone away, but it is a reality that today, no one asks questions to move from Abuja to Kaduna or any part of the North."

He said the national value charter that the President championed in his 2025 New Year message will soon be launched to ensure that Nigerians come together to reclaim our lost values.

He added that the National Orientation Agency is working to ensure that both religions teach the Bible and the Quran in our schools and the return of civic education.

The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, also attended the event.

#StateHousePressRelease

2025 CBCN COMMUNIQUE: ABUJA

BY CSN MEDIA
MARCH 13, 2025

THE JUBILE YEAR OF HOPE: A LIGHT FOR A NEW NIGERIA

A Communiqué issued at the end of the First Plenary Meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at the CSN Resource Centre, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Durumi, Abuja, 8 -14 March 2025

1. PREAMBLE

We, the Catholic Bishops’ of Nigeria, held our First Plenary Meeting for the year at the CSN Resource Centre, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Durumi, Abuja, from 8-14 March 2025. Having prayerfully deliberated on issues affecting the Church and the Nigerian State, we issue this Communiqué:

2. THE JUBILEE YEAR OF HOPE

The Holy Father Pope Francis on 9 May 2024 issued the Bull of Indiction of the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025 titled, Spes Non Confundit (“Hope does not disappoint” Romans 5:5). With this document, the Holy Father invites the whole Church to reflect on and embrace the virtue of Hope. In his words: “Hope is born of love and based on the love springing from the pierced heart of Jesus upon the Cross” (Spes Non Confundit, 3). The Jubilee Year of Hope invites the whole world to a new impetus for renewal. It also presents the Church with a profound opportunity for introspection and renewed commitment to its mission within both the Nigerian and global contexts. It serves as a rallying call for renewed catechesis, scriptural literacy, and authentic Christian witnessing, ensuring that the Church remains a beacon of light to the society (cf. Matthew 5:14-16). In spite of the numerous challenges of the modern times, there is still a firm basis for hope. We are invited to embrace the virtue of hope with the certainty that it does not disappoint. The Lord is ever faithful to his Word (cf. Romans 8:28).

3. THE STATE OF THE NATION

(i) Positive Developments and Some Challenges

Our nation has recently witnessed some positive development. These include the reinvigoration of the Petroleum Industry, the rehabilitation of some dilapidated roads and the construction of new ones across the nation, the introduction of the student loan scheme, the new minimum wage, and the reduction in the debt service-to-revenue ratio and the proposal for new tax regime.

The Nigeria Correctional Service Act 2019 was a landmark in the history of prison services in Nigeria. It was a shift from the perception of the prison as a centre for retribution to a “correctional” facility with focus on reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration. We commend some cheering strides made by governments at various levels to promote agriculture. We equally appreciate the efforts of some security operatives, who put their lives on the line to fight the criminality and put an end to their savagery. We pray for healing for the wounded and eternal life for the dead. In spite of all these, our nation still has some serious challenges bordering on harsh socio-economic situation, persistent insecurity across the nation, rising youth unemployment and restiveness. There is high cost of essential goods, including food. Cases of kidnapping and the mindless killing of innocent people still abound.

4. THE WAY FORWARD

(i) Need for Unity and National Integration

We invite all to always pursue actions that make for unity and national integration. Again, we request our political, religious and traditional leaders to promote the spirit of national integration in the citizenry in order to instill hope and development. We demand that those governments that ordered the closure of all schools in some parts of the country, withdraw such order in the light of the rights of the children to education and the multi-religious nature of our society We, as Church, promote integral education, health care and agriculture for individual and national development, and we require the enabling environment to play these roles among others.

Despite disappointments in the conduct of 2023 General Elections, we still encourage all eligible citizens to come out en masse and participate in future elections. We call for a strengthening of electoral laws and sincere execution of duties by state agents such as Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies and the courts in order to restore trust in the electoral system. We urge our people to refuse to be cowed to silence and helplessness, but rather insist always on doing the right thing and having it done.

(ii) Some Insights for National Growth

For the provision of security of life and property in our nation, we urge that governments at all levels deploy high technology, like is already done in some states, to complement the efforts of security agencies for efficient intelligence gathering. There is also need for good remuneration for security personnel, better equipping of our security outfits and determination to prosecute crime without fear or favour. We still stop call on government at all levels to create an enabling environment for job opportunities in an ongoing manner. More investment is needed in agriculture to facilitate the involvement of the youth in it and boost provision of food in a sustainable manner. With improved security and safety for farmers, there will be greater production of food and reduction in the escalated cost of food all over Nigeria. We reaffirm the stand of the Catholic Church that capital punishment is unacceptable (CCC2267), we therefore make a passionate appeal to the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu especially in the light of the Jubilee Year of Hope, to grant pardon to Mr Sunday Jackson whose conviction was recently upheld by the Supreme Court.

⚫️To improve on the State of our custodial centres, we enjoin the Federal and State Governments to undertake the following:

⚫️ Uphold fundamental rights of inmates, treating them with dignity and adopting non -custodial measures in deserving cases.

⚫️ Expedite the dispensation of justice.

⚫️ Decongest the existing correctional centres by granting parole to well-behaved minor offenders.

⚫️ Rehabilitate the existing facilities, and

⚫️ Construct new correctional centres to ease overcrowding.

5. SPREADING A LIGHT FOR A NEW NIGERIA

The Jubilee Year as enshrined in the Book Leviticus 25 was a time of restoration, freedom and renewal. It was a time when debts were forgiven, captives were released, and the land was given rest. The Jubilee of Hope invites us to be agents of renewal, arising from restoration and freedom. We are called to be the light that dispels the darkness hovering over our land, which necessarily begins with each of us, from our homes to our Churches, from our workplaces to our government institutions. The desire for a New Nigeria must commit to truth, justice and love. We, therefore, call on all to be true to our worship of God, eschewing external religiosity and competition geared towards religious superiority or supremacy

While we put our hope in the Lord and continue to pray for a better nation, we must all play our prophetic role to create a new Nigeria by bringing about the necessary change and so rekindle hope once more in our nation. To bring our people back from the brink of despair, we must start with a clear call for a radical change of attitudes, and a veritable spiritual revolution. We have the spiritual resources to undertake this mission in the genuine values of Christianity and Islam the two major religions practised in our land.

Above all, to create a New Nigeria and rekindle hope among the populace, our nation needs political leaders of a high moral profile, who are able to administer public goods in line with the principles of honesty, transparency, and accountability (Ecclesia in Africa no, 111). As a purveyor of hope, the Media must resist obsession with reporting bad news at the expense of balanced reportage, which highlights what is happening in the society with equal passion. We enjoin the Government and security agencies to see the Media as partners in nation building.

6. EVENTS IN THE CHURCH

In union with the whole Church and the entire world, we pray for the Holy Father, Pope Francis, in this critical moment of ill health. We continue to pray for his speedy recovery. The Synod on Synodality, which dominated the attention of the Church from 2021 – 2024 was concluded with the approval of the Synod’s final document on 26 October, 2024 by Pope Francis. We are now at the implementation stage. Local Churches and groupings of Churches are invited to imbibe and implement in their context the authoritative indications contained in the Documents.

The Church in Nigeria as well as the Nigerian State is indeed happy to welcome the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, His Excellency, Most Rev. Michael Francis Crotty. He arrived the country on 23 October 2024. For him, we pray for a fruitful and pastorally ministry in our midst. Likewise, we congratulate Very Rev. Fr. Michael Leke Banjo, who assumed the Office of the Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria on 1 January 2025. While wishing him a wonderful tenure, we thank the former Secretary General, Very Rev. Fr. Zechariah Samjumi, and wish him all the best of luck in his future endeavors.

We received with great sadness but with hope in the resurrection the news of the death of Most Rev Ayo- Maria Atoyebi, OP, Bishop Emeritus of Ilorin on 8 March, 2025. We convey our condolences to Ilorin Diocese, the Dominican Friars, and the Atoyebi family, with the assurances of prayers for his repose and the consolation of all who mourn him.

7. CONCLUSION: THE SEASON OF LENT AS A JOURNEY OF RENEWAL

As we begin the Lenten Season we pray with our Muslim Brethren who are observing the season Ramadan. The Season prepares us Christians to better embrace the virtue of hope. It invites us to repent of our sins and misdeeds against ourselves, the Church and our Country. It calls us to purge ourselves of our cynicism against the possibility of a better Nigeria. By this we are enabled to spread the light within the various segments of the society. May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven, spreading the joy and peace of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, throughout the earth. May it ignite in us a renewed faith, and may the light of Christ guide Nigeria to a future of peace, prosperity and righteousness. May our Blessed Mother, Mary ever Virgin, accompany us in this holy season, and may we emerge from this journey renewed, purified, and victorious. Amen.



+Lucius Iwejuru UGORJI +Donatus A. OGUN, OSA
Archbishop of Owerri Bishop of Uromi
President, CBCN Secretary, CBCN

naptu2:
1) The visit has nothing to do with anything that happened in the USA. The meetings of the Catholic Bishops Conference are organised a long time before the meetings are actually held. The bishops are busy people and travel arrangements have to be made.

Furthermore, the Catholic Secretariat usually books an appointment for the bishops to see the president. The president is also a very busy person and such visits are organised well ahead of time. This visit must have been planned months in advance.

2) Members of the Catholic Bishops Conference have been having regular meetings with the president/head of state after their twice-yearly meetings for almost 40 years. I remember their meetings with Presidents Babangida, Obasanjo, Yar'Adua, Jonathan and Buhari. Here are some examples:

Buhari Meets With Catholic Bishops In Aso Rock
https://www.nairaland.com/3082486/buhari-meets-catholic-bishops-aso

President Buhari Receives Catholic Bishops At The State House (photos)
https://www.nairaland.com/4337017/president-buhari-receives-catholic-bishops


Photos of President Jonathan and Catholic Bishops at Presidential Villa Abuja
https://www.nairaland.com/1995787/photos-president-jonathan-catholic-bishops

Photos: Catholic Bishops Visit Pres. Jonathan
https://www.nairaland.com/2300725/photos-catholic-bishops-visit-pres

3) The fact that the Catholic bishops are visiting the president does not mean that all other bishops from all other denominations must visit the president. That just doesn't make any sense. These are members of a specific organisation called the Catholic Bishops Conference and you shouldn't expect to see non-members in the delegation.

4) The Catholic Bishops Conference does not endorse candidates for elections, neither do they endorse politicians. I created an entire thread about it here.

Here’s Why Senior Catholic Figures Are Cautioning Father Mbaka (By Naptu2)
https://www.nairaland.com/5639333/heres-why-senior-catholic-figures

5) Anyone that has a message for the president that is different from the message of the Catholic bishops should book an appointment with the president and go and tell him the message. (We haven't yet even seen an account of what was discussed at the meeting, yet strange people are saying all kinds of things).

magoo10:
I hope the agbero takes the advice
Abacha was once advised by the Pope and he turned deaf ears.

JackDaAlienz:
The Best Church is Catholic

DolapoX:
It’s well

JackDaAlienz:
The Best Church is Catholic

specialmati:
when the righteous is on the throne the people rejoice, when the wicked is on the throne the people groan and cry. You are telling a man that emptied his bullion vans to get to power to do all these things .instead of asking him if he has recovered all his investment and made some gain.before election he assembles fake bishop after election real Bishops went to visit him. I didn't see yarimo one of the fake bishop here . country of mudafuckers

Fiscus105:
Yet, people like you usually wailing about ladies not being able to contribute for discussion outside gossiping.


I guess WAILING, LAMENTATIONS & ATTACKS are your ways of contributing meaningful for rational discussion.

magoo10:
I hope the agbero takes the advice
Abacha was once advised by the Pope and he turned deaf ears.

JackDaAlienz:
The Best Church is Catholic

Meti99:
You'll see that out of every sensitive matters raised in this meeting, it is the pilgrimage matter that the ISLAMIC Groups will come and counter with the president when they come visiting

magoo10:
I hope the agbero takes the advice
Abacha was once advised by the Pope and he turned deaf ears.

ogaemma:
The quality and Spiritual standards of those Bishop's that advised General Abacha have long gone into extinction.
Today's Bishop's are nothing but Pulpit bandit's and Ghana must go Bishop's.
Only very few of them are still standing straight in TRUTH and Righteousness.

JackDaAlienz:
The Best Church is Catholic