Cardinal Okogie calls on Nigerians to pray for God-fearing leaders

Anthony Cardinal Okogie, Archbishop emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, on Friday urged Nigerians to continue to pray for God-fearing leaders that would lead the country to the promised land.

Okogie made the call at the 6th Bi-annual Conference of the Catholic Social Forum of Nigeria (CSFN) held at St. Leo Catholic Church, Ikeja, Lagos.

“Christians must be ready to challenge the status quo of how people come into leadership positions with the principles of equity, peace and justice.

“It is to this end that CSFN is charged to be the voice of the voiceless.

“It is also to be the conscience of the nation, to be at the forefront of ensuring credible electoral process comes 2015 by sensitising the lay faithful,” he said.

He decried the moral decadence, bribery and corruption, electoral rigging and malpractices in the country, and urged Christians to be committed to the course of common good.

The cardinal said that Nigerians needed leaders that would deploy multi-dimensional strategy to improve intelligence and the tool of diplomacy in addressing the current challenges in the country.

“We look forward to a nation where justice and peace reigns; where the health care system provide health and render care; the judiciary demonstrates independence; and schools deliver quality education,” he said.

Also, Most Rev. Adewale Martins, the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, urged Nigerians to make wise decisions in choosing a good leader for the country.

According to him, the decisions we make by casting our votes will reflect on the kind of leaders that we get.

“As we pray, the Lord will give us leaders after his own heart; we must play our parts in bringing this to pass. 

“In this time of money politics, let us guide our rights jealously and not mortgage our future on the platter of what we now refer to as stomach infrastructure,” Martins said. (NAN)