“We call on Christians to be card-carrying members of political parties, seek elective positions, obtain voter cards and go out consciously to exercise their franchise so as to add their Christian values to change the narrative for a better Nigeria,” he says.
The Local Ordinary of the Catholic Diocese of Jalingo calls on the country’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to not only be fair but to be equally just in the process of registering voters.
Condemning political violence by discouraging the youth against being used to cause violence, Bishop Hammawa urges those involved in the monitoring and conduct of elections to be transparent in the 2023 elections.
The Nigerian Bishop who has been at the helm of the Diocese since his Episcopal Ordination in 2008 reflects on the efforts in the fight against insecurity in the West African nation and urges the country’s government “to do more”.
“We acknowledge the efforts of the government and traditional leaders in curbing the high rate of insecurity in the country. Stemming from its obligation, we encourage the government, both federal and state, to do more as the challenges of insecurity are far from being over,” he says in the April 1 communiqué.
He calls upon the people of Nigeria’s Taraba State to cooperate with the government and other security agencies in fighting insecurity rather than “add to the bleeding wounds of insecurity”.
“We call on Tarabans not to add to the bleeding wounds of insecurity, by putting a stop to tribal, religious and political violence. We must be united in this course. Existing acrimonies should be healed by forgiveness. Fraternal and harmonious living should be embraced for peace to reign,” Bishop Hammawa says.
The 59-year-old Catholic Bishop advocates for holistic formation in schools. He says that the formation will address the emotional, social, ethical and academic needs of students.
He says that education should not focus on academics alone, but should be “guided by morals that have led many Nigerian youths into cybercrimes, advanced Fee Fraud and other related crimes.”
Making reference to the Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria’s (CBCN) Communiqué issued at the end of their Second Plenary Meeting, held at the Holy Ghost Cathedral, Enugu State, from August 19th to 27th 2021, Bishop Hammawa encouraged character development, which he said will instill in all learners, ethical values that ultimately guide their decision-making process from their personal, everyday behavior to their chosen career paths.
