“Listen to the cry of the Poor”: Provincial Superior of Vicentians in Nigeria to Government

Abuja, 17 September, 2025 / 8:50 PM

The Provincial Superior of the Congregation of the Mission (CM), also called Vincentians in Nigeria, has called on the government to address the plight of the poor, displaced persons, and vulnerable groups across the country.

In an interview with ACI Africa on Tuesday, September 16, on the sidelines of a visit to St. Kizito Parish of Nigeria’s Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Fr. Damian Ikechukwu Nwankwo said that while the Church remains committed to its mission of service, the state has the primary responsibility to ensure justice and welfare for its citizens.

He warned that leaders would ultimately be remembered for their records of service or neglect. Saying, “Sooner or later, you will leave this world without a good record. Do not go away from this world without a good record.”

“Listen to the cry of the poor, wherever you are,” Fr. Nwankwo said in his appeal to the Nigerian government, adding, “Do something for us. We elected you to help us.”

The Nigerian Catholic Priest lamented what he described as a growing indifference to human suffering and the loss of lives in Nigeria. He said many citizens have become desensitized to violence.

“If you look at it today, if you do not have money, you are not important. That is why human blood is being wasted in Nigeria without any preoccupation. People do not worry. You can kill a pregnant woman and nothing will happen to the criminal. Nobody is coming to our help,” Fr. Nwankwo lamented.

According to him, society’s disregard for the weak and vulnerable reflects a moral crisis. 

“If you are physically challenged or mentally challenged, it is not your fault.  Society should be able to care for you,” the Provincial Superior said.

Drawing from his experiences abroad, he said Nigeria must learn from countries where the state protects the vulnerable. 

“I have been in Europe and I know that the government takes care of the physically and mentally challenged. They provide them with sustenance and an allowance every month. They provide food for those who cannot provide for themselves. However, here, the poor are left to fend for themselves. It is so painful,” he explained.

He noted that the neglect of the disadvantaged in Nigeria is a grave injustice. 

“Those of you who are governing us, please look beyond where you are. See the sufferings of the people you claim to be their leaders. Your citizens are suffering,” he said.

Fr. Nwankwo, who also serves as the National President of the Vincentian Family in Nigeria (FAMVIN), expressed concern about the growing population of internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have lost their homes and livelihoods. 

He lamented that IDPs in Nigeria “no longer go to their farms, can no longer go to their homes, and can no longer provide for themselves.” Those displaced are left to depend on charitable organizations, the Catholic Priest lamented, and queried, “Are you not the government for them also?”

Fr. Nwankwo said the contrast between the comfort of leaders and the hardship of citizens is unacceptable. “Why should you be leading people who are dying, while you are comfortable? You have your house; people do not have a house. You have your food, people do not have food,” he said.

The Vincentian Provincial Superior faulted Nigeria’s unequal access to education, employment, and political leadership. 

“Those who do not have somebody cannot go to school. Those who do not have somebody cannot be employed. Why should this be allowed? Let those who pass exams go to school. But instead, you bring in all your people. Even anything national, you bring your people,” he said.

He also condemned the monetization of politics, which he said keeps qualified people out of leadership. “If you ask me to provide 10 million to get a nomination form, where do I get it? Am I a thief? That is why philosopher leaders are not among those who are leading.”

Fr. Nwankwo insisted that Nigeria’s future depends on justice. 

“Justice, justice, justice. That is what Nigeria needs. We Vincentians must never forget these people, but the government must fulfill its duty. The Church will continue to stand with the poor, but the nation needs leaders who can ensure equality and fairness,” he said.

Fr. Nwankwo reaffirmed the Vincentian commitment to serving the poor in line with the teachings of their founder, St. Vincent de Paul.

 “We Vincentians must never forget the poor in our society. The Church has never forgotten the poor. We continue to follow the charism and spirituality of our founder,” he said.

In another interview with ACI Africa during the same event, the national Chaplain of Nigeria Correctional Service, Fr. Victor Nyoroh, explained that the Vincentian mission is rooted in the love of Christ expressed through service to the downtrodden. 

“We are called to concretely witness to the love of Christ and compassion, especially to the downtrodden, the marginalized, the poor, the abandoned, and those behind bars. This is our signature, this is our brand,” Fr. Nyoroh said.

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He emphasized that poverty should not be seen only in material terms but as a human condition that affects everyone, saying, “I am always afraid of calling people poor, because all of us are poor spiritually. When you have some limitations, you are poor. But in particular, those who have been forgotten, abandoned, and marginalized are at the center of our mission.”

Fr. Nyoro highlighted the values that guide Vincentians in their work: simplicity, humility, witness, mortification, and zeal for souls. These virtues, he said, enable members to work directly with the grassroots, living among those they serve and providing hope in practical ways.