Bishop Dugu lamented that increasing insecurity, banditry and kidnapping for ransom have continued in many parts of Africa’s most populous nation unabated, and that the camps for IDPs in Benue State have continued to increase.
In his message of hope to the pilgrims who were present at Se Sugh U Maria Pilgrimage Centre, Ayati in Nigeria’s Benue State, Bishop Dugu said, “We must not give up on the Nigerian and Benue Project. We are still in the process and God is not done with us yet.”
He underscored the need to stop violence especially in the embattled Benue State, saying, “The task before us to build the Benue and Nigeria of our dream is great and a collective one. Therefore, no nation grows amidst disunity.”
“In Benue State in particular and Nigeria in general, the interest of one person or group of persons should not be placed over and above the common good, otherwise we cannot grow,” the 52-year-old Catholic Bishop who started his Episcopal Ministry in July 2022 as Local Ordinary of Katsina-Ala said.
Making reference to Isaiah 11, he added, “The wolf must learn to dwell with the lamb, and the leopard should believe that it is possible to lie down with the kid, and the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child will be able to lead them.”
“The cow and the bear must feed together; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The sucking child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den and Benue State shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord,” Bishop Dugu said.
He called on elected government officials in the Nigerian State to stay true to their mandate.
“We remind this administration that the Benue people have not forgotten your campaign promises, especially the ones that were to be fulfilled within the first 100 days in office,” the Bishop of Katsina-Ala said.
He went on to express his solidarity with Nigerians who he said had plunged into despair, saying, “I know that some of you have come here with troubled hearts. Some of us may be in deep sorrow over the loss of our loved ones or series of deaths in the family, broken homes or marriages, loss of jobs, bad luck, barrenness, confusion or torment by the evil spirits.”
“It is my prayer that God should shower His abundant blessings upon you. May God in His goodness, lavish each of you with His gifts of peace, joy, good health, fortitude and wisdom and may He bless you with success in all your endeavors,” the Nigerian Catholic Bishop said.
