To check youth restiveness and insecurity in different parts of Nigeria, Pope Francis on Saturday urged the Federal Government to prioritize the future of its youths.
Pope Francis made the call at the official commissioning of newly built catholic secretariat in Kaduna.
The Pope, who was represented by the Vatican Ambassador to Nigeria, Most Rev. Anthonio Guido Fillipazi, warned that if a country finds it difficult to create job opportunities and give quality education to its teeming youths, they become vulnerable to restiveness and other social vices which would affect their productivity.
He said it has become imperative for the government and its citizens to work collectively in other to tackle the problems facing the country.
The Pope said: “I think the government of Nigeria sees very clear, what the problems are. The President mentioned three issues – security, corruption and poverty. So, all the government and the citizens have to do is to work on that. I think it is very simple, but also very difficult.”
Earlier in his remarks, the Archbishop of Kaduna Catholic Diocese, His Grace, Man-oso Ndagoso, urged Nigerians to hold public office holders accountable on management of public funds.
Man-oso Ndagoso said: “Once people get to office, they collect public funds and turn the funds to their personal property.
“Our common resources are being stolen and squandered in the broad daylight and nothing is done about it. It is our duty as citizens to hold our leaders responsible.
“During the military, they came into power through barrel of gun, but now we are in democracy, even if somebody rigged an election, he rigged it with your name and my name, therefore we have the responsibility to hold them accountable.”