A True Leader Must Sacrifice For His People – Kaigama

The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, His Grace Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, on Sunday, said a true leaders must sacrifice for his people.

This is as he warned Nigerians politicians against living flamboyant lifestyles but modesty and service to humanity.

The cleric premised the lifestyles on the lucrative political offices in Nigeria, saying they absorb a very huge chunk of the national revenue.

He also made an allusion to the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem riding on a donkey which, according to him, is a symbol of peace and humility.

Kaigama stated these on Sunday in his Homily during the Palm Sunday mass held at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral in Abuja.

He said, “This is a challenge to political office holders to embrace a life of modesty, a life of detachment and service rather than luxurious and flamboyant lifestyles, oblivious to the suffering of the poor.

“Unfortunately, our political offices in Nigeria are so lucrative and absorb a huge chunk of our national revenue that aspirants to political offices are often prepared to do everything (good or bad, kind or inhuman) to get in.”

The cleric explained that the humility and obedience of Jesus Christ to His Father’s will contradicts rulers and politicians’ arrogant display of wealth and fame today.

“Although Christ is God, he humbly rode on the lowliest of beasts. Jesus did not violate traffic rules of the time because He is the Lord. He needed no armed and paid security officers. Instead, He simply mounted a colt and made His way into Jerusalem,” he said.

Kaigama also emphasized that the life of a leader must include suffering and pain on behalf of the people.

He said, “A leader, whether spiritual, traditional, or political must carry the burden of his/her people and sacrifice for them.”