Saturday, July 18, 2026

It’s ‘of no use’ leaving Nigeria for greener pastures: Cleric

The Catholic bishop urged Nigerians not to leave nation-building only to the government.

• October 29, 2022
Anselm Umoren

Anselm Umoren, catholic bishop of Abuja Archdiocese, has expressed concern over some challenges confronting the nation, saying that nation-building was all-inclusive and should not be left only to the government.

Speaking at the 2022 National Conference of Catholic Women Organisation of Nigeria (CWON) on Saturday in Abuja, Mr Umoren said leaving Nigeria to search for greener pastures was of no use.

“It is of no use abandoning the country for greener pastures when nation-building is everyone’s responsibility,” he said.

The bishop added, “People who are in a hurry to leave the country as a result of the present challenges are taking their skills and expertise out to build another country.”

He urged Nigerians to work towards improving their lot as this would positively impact the socioeconomic landscape for a better Nigeria.

“We know that only Nigerians can change Nigeria for the better, and we know that will happen if we do our bit to change the narrative.

“We are used to complaining about other people and don’t complain about ourselves.

“Unless we start complaining about ourselves, nothing is going to change because we are part of the problem,” he said.

Mr Umoren urged that Nigerians should not be in a hurry to abandon their motherland in times of pressing challenges when every hand should be on the deck to forge the way forward.

“People should look inwards for that inner strength to do their bit to cause positive change. 

“We must learn to do the right thing no matter how much it is going to cost us, and that is the way things are going to change,” he said.

(NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Heading 5

Several injured as 18-seater bus rams into market in Kwara

The injured were taken to a nearby hospital for emergency medical treatment.

Gardens

Agriculture

Stakeholders seek plant-based protein policies to boost food security

She said plant-based proteins were critical to building sustainable food systems.

States

Edo security squad nabs 12 suspected cultists in Benin

He said the suspects had been handed over to the police for further investigation.

PCRC

Heading 4

PCRC partners police on safe school programme

The police spokesman commended the PCRC leadership for hosting him.

Taraba State

Heading 5

Taraba: LG boss revokes indigeneship certificates

Mr Yusuf said the action became necessary following the introduction of a redesigned certificate.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in Abuja

NationWide

Military rescued over 40 victims, arrested more than 20 terrorists in one week: DHQ

Mr Onoja disclosed this on Saturday in Abuja in a statement on military operations nationwide.