Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, Ignatius Kaigama, has joined other Nigerians to lament the rising cost of living in Nigeria, and its impact on the standard of living of Nigerians.
Archbishop Kaigama, in a Homily at the St. Donatus’ Pastoral Area, Sokale, Abuja, narrated how the cost of food items have gone beyond the reach of average Nigerian.
He said: “Times are certainly hard. There has been a consistent rise in prices of foodstuffs and other commodities and the worsening economic hardships have resulted in pockets of protests in some states in the country and have also increased criminality.
“I asked my driver to buy me a bunch of bananas in Akwanga on my way back from Shendam Diocese recently after joining them to celebrate the consecration of their Diocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the inauguration of their pilgrimage center, and only to realize that what I thought would cost N500 was offered to me for N1,600! I thought of returning the bananas, but I needed them.
“Similarly, my friend in the village told me with great sadness how a measure of rice is now over N2,000. The political authorities must do something positive and promptly too, and in a well-coordinated manner nationally to reduce the growing anger and hunger in the country.”
He, however, accused the political class in the society of building a high wall that separated them from the people, hence they have no idea or experience of what people are passing through, particularly as the cost of living has gone beyond affordable.
“In our society today, ethnic, political, and religious superiority complexes make many look on others as lepers. Like Jesus, we must break those barriers that separate us. We must have a generosity of spirit, compassion, and love to identify with others who are treated condescendingly.
“We all are called to be imitators of Christ, to care for those who are sick among us, whether of HIV or other degenerative diseases or those handicapped. We should not be too afraid as we were during the COVID-19 pandemic; how we would not visit, shake hands, or share a meal with others for fear of getting infected.
“We should treat sick people with compassion and not cast them aside or treat them badly because everyone could end up in a similar circumstance at some point,” he admonished.