“Resist get-rich-quick syndrome,” Catholic Archbishop Challenges Youths in Nigeria to Embrace Hard Work

Archbishop Kaigama encouraged the youths to develop a culture of working hard and taking responsibility in everything they do , saying, “Work is not just a means to survive – it is a participation in God’s creative mission. Every time you study, serve, or sacrifice sincerely, you glorify God. To do this will definitely not be that easy.”

The Local Ordinary of Abuja cautioned against drug abuse among Nigerian Youth, saying that those who use drugs are at high risk of dropping out of college and causing great stress to their parents.

 “Those of you who take drugs to acquire artificial power, strength, or to feel high, you are killing yourselves gradually. You are corpses walking about. Your drugs have already passed a death sentence on you earlier than your natural death time, allotted by God,” the Archbishop who has been at the hemn of Abuja since 2019 said.

Archbishop Kaigama reflected on some of the major challenges facing the youth in Nigeria, such as economic hardship, a high rate of unemployment, temptations to compromise, and social pressure that lead many into shortcuts to success and even the loss of faith.

“The Lord reminds us today: stay faithful, even when the world seems to be falling apart,” the Archbishop encouraged the youths.

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He encouraged  members of NFCS to stay focused on education as not only a “path to economic success or a mere job but as part of your Christian mission: to build character, serve with integrity, and witness to truth in your campuses and society, by bringing Christ to those you encounter through your good Christian conduct.”

Archbishop Kaigama underscored the importance of living the faith and endurance as a Christian in a world full of challenges and confusion, assuring them victory.

He encouraged the students to stick to the purpose of their institution, the NFCS, which was founded to “form young Catholics who will transform society through faith, intellect, and leadership.”

“You are called to be the conscience of the campus and the light of the nation. In a time when many young people are losing direction, you must show that faith and reason go together. You must combine excellence in academics with integrity in conduct. You must prove that success without God is failure in disguise,” Archbishop Kaigama said.

Archbishop Kaigama encouraged the youths to remain hopeful and faithful amid challenges, saying, “dear young friends, as you continue your studies and service through NFCS, never lose hope. When life gets tough, remember: stand firm, keep faith, and don’t give up. It is perseverance, not panic, that saves.”

The Nigerian Church leader prayed for a conducive academic environment free from strikes and expressed concern over government policies that burden church-run institutions.

“I pray the government will recognize the good the Catholic Church has done in healthcare and education in this country and help to support us rather than to demand all sorts of taxes from the mission schools,” he said.

Archbishop Kaigama expressed hope for a renewed Nigeria, free from social injustices, saying, “Let us continue the struggle. Nigeria shall be better. Insecurity, poverty, suffering of all kinds, and decaying infrastructure allowed by leaders who control our resources will be attended to. I pray this will come true from among you or your contemporaries.”

He further cautioned Nigerian leaders against corruption, calling for honest work among all the people of God in Nigeria.

Archbishop Kaigama encouraged the youths in the West African Nation to “never be discouraged, never get tired of doing what is right.”

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“May God deliver us from idleness because of a lack of resources to get what to do, and from the present 'culture of death,” Archbishop Kaigama said.

Sabrine Amboka is a Kenyan journalist with a passion for Catholic church communication. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from St. Paul's University in Kenya.