The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, has called on Nigerians to abandon vengeance, hatred and animosity and instead promote forgiveness, reconciliation and peaceful coexistence for the country’s progress.
The Punch reported that Kaigama made the appeal through the National Chaplain of the Pious Union of Saint Rita of Cascia, Rev. Fr. Richard Igyor, OSA, who represented him at the union’s 2026 National Feast Celebration in Abuja.
The union disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.
The celebration, held under the theme, “Cultivating Peace, Faith and Hope: Emulating Saint Rita’s Virtues,” drew more than 1,000 devotees from across Nigeria.
According to the statement, Kaigama said, “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 noted that the virtues associated with Saint Rita, including forgiveness, perseverance, faith and dedication to peace, remained particularly relevant as Nigeria contends with insecurity, political tensions and social divisions.
He also encouraged Nigerians to look beyond seeking miracles and cultivate a deeper relationship with God, saying such a relationship should reflect in how they treat others and contribute to society.
Representing the archbishop, Igyor said devotion to saints should go beyond seeking favours through prayers and should instead be demonstrated by the willingness of devotees to practise the virtues exemplified by the saints.
He urged Nigerians to allow peace, love, forgiveness and reconciliation to influence their behaviour at home, in workplaces, communities and leadership positions.
Igyor said the example of Saint Rita provided practical lessons for Nigeria as the country seeks to overcome divisions and promote a more peaceful society.
The Prior General of the Pious Union of Saint Rita of Cascia, Nigeria, Cecilia Oyakhire, also called on women to take a more active role in promoting peace and moral values in their families and communities.
Describing women as key contributors to nation-building, Oyakhire said Saint Rita’s life should encourage women to raise children who value compassion and peaceful coexistence.
She said, “Women are nation builders. Women are supposed to have a soft heart, to always make peace, show love and care.”
Oyakhire noted that the union had continued to demonstrate Saint Rita’s charitable values through humanitarian initiatives, including visits to hospitals and assistance for vulnerable people who struggled to meet their medical expenses.
She said the activities showed that religious commitment should extend beyond prayer to practical assistance for people facing difficult circumstances.
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 adopt Saint Rita’s values of forgiveness and selfless service.
According to him, leaders who embrace fairness and forgiveness would be less inclined to victimise political opponents, subordinates and other members of society.
Ukura said the saint’s virtues could help curb hatred and political hostility, particularly with Nigeria approaching 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.”
Also speaking, the Abuja Archdiocesan Coordinator, Bro. Celestine Makwe, said Nigerians had a shared responsibility to promote a society where forgiveness and peaceful coexistence were upheld.
Makwe warned that vengeance, enmity and animosity could worsen existing divisions and frustrate efforts toward 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 further called for reconciliation and tolerance, stressing that lasting peace would require individuals and communities to forgive one another and settle disagreements without resorting to hatred or violence.
