Bishop urges Nigerians to shun vengeance, embrace forgiveness
August 10, 2026 1:20 pm
L-R: Chairperson, Local Organising Committee, 2026 Pius Union of St. Rita National Feast, Lady Idowu Jokpeyibo; former Auditor-General of the Federation of Nigeria (2010–2016) and National Grand Patron; National Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Richard Igyor, OSA; Prior General of Nigeria, Cecilia Oyakhire; and Abuja Archdiocesan Coordinator, Bro. Celestine Makwe. Credit: Union of Saint Rita
The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, has urged Nigerians to reject vengeance, hatred and animosity and embrace forgiveness, reconciliation and peaceful coexistence as essential values for national development.
Kaigama made the call through the National Chaplain of the Pious Union of Saint Rita of Cascia, Rev. Fr. Richard Igyor, who represented him at the union’s 2026 National Feast Celebration in Abuja.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the union on Monday.
The celebration, themed “Cultivating Peace, Faith and Hope: Emulating Saint Rita’s Virtues,” attracted more than 1,000 devotees from different parts of the country.
The statement quoted Kaigama as saying, “The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, His Grace Most Reverend Dr Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, has urged Nigerians to embrace peace, forgiveness and reconciliation as essential values for building a united and prosperous nation.”
The Archbishop said the virtues associated with Saint Rita, particularly forgiveness, perseverance, faith and commitment to peace, were relevant to Nigeria at a time when the country was grappling with insecurity, political tensions and social divisions.
He urged Nigerians to move beyond seeking miracles and develop a deeper relationship with God that would influence their treatment of others and their contributions to society.
Representing Kaigama, Igyor said true devotion to saints should not be measured by the favours devotees expected to receive through prayers, but by their willingness to emulate the virtues of the saints.
He urged Nigerians to allow the values of peace, love, forgiveness and reconciliation to shape their conduct in their homes, workplaces, communities and positions of leadership.
According to him, the virtues of Saint Rita offered practical lessons for a country seeking to overcome divisions and build a more peaceful society.
The Prior General of the Pious Union of Saint Rita of Cascia, Nigeria, Cecilia Oyakhire, also urged women to play a greater role in promoting peace and strong moral values within their families and communities.
Oyakhire described women as important agents of nation-building and said the life of Saint Rita should inspire them to raise children who value peaceful coexistence and compassion.
She said, “Women are nation builders. Women are supposed to have a soft heart, to always make peace, show love and care.”
She said the union had continued to reflect Saint Rita’s charitable spirit through humanitarian activities, including hospital visits and assistance to vulnerable people who could not afford medical expenses.
Oyakhire said such acts of charity demonstrated that religious devotion should extend beyond prayers to practical support for people facing hardship.
The Abuja Archdiocese National Grand Patron of the Pious Union and former Auditor-General of the Federation, Dr Ukura Samuel, urged political and other national leaders to emulate Saint Rita’s spirit of forgiveness and selfless service.
He said leaders who embraced forgiveness and fairness would be less likely to victimise political opponents, subordinates or other members of society.
Ukura said the virtues of Saint Rita could help reduce hatred and political hostility, particularly as Nigeria approaches another election cycle.
He said, “If the politicians imitate the life of Saint Rita, you will see Nigeria will be a better place to live.”
The call comes amid continuing political competition and disagreements ahead of the next election cycle, with religious and community leaders repeatedly urging Nigerians to resolve their differences peacefully.
Also speaking, the Abuja Archdiocesan Coordinator, Bro. Celestine Makwe, said Nigerians had a collective responsibility to build a society where forgiveness and peaceful coexistence were valued.
Makwe warned that vengeance, enmity and animosity could deepen divisions and undermine efforts to achieve national development.
He said, “We must strive to build a nation where peaceful coexistence and forgiveness thrive. We should not allow a spirit of vengeance, enmity or animosity to exist among us because these attitudes can only divide the country and hinder development.”
He urged Nigerians to embrace reconciliation and tolerance, stressing that peaceful coexistence required individuals and communities to forgive one another and resolve disagreements without resorting to hatred or violence.
Damilola Aina is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over five years of experience covering energy, business, investment, infrastructure, and property sectors. He specializes in producing well-researched and insightful reports that inform readers and provide clarity on complex topics. Damilola’s work demonstrates practical newsroom experience, editorial insight, and a strong commitment to accurate and engaging journalism.
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