The Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama, says the country’s leaders and their followers have failed to build a nation “of our dreams.”

He stated this on Sunday when he urged Nigerians to desist from evil to enjoy God’s blessings.

Mr. Kaigama, who gave the charge during his homily at St. Fabian’s parish Efab-Jabi, in Abuja, said, “We must admit that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and the ideals of genuine patriotism to build a nation of our dreams.”

Speaking further, he stated, “We must ask the question, why are things not working well despite the enormous blessings of God on Nigeria?

“Until we desist from greed, injustice, discrimination, myopic view of religion, parochial ethnic interests, instead of the common good, political insensitivity, and the tendency to surreptitiously corner our common patrimony for the benefit of a few, we will continue dancing dangerously on the precipice.

According to Kaigama, despite sins, God is willing to show mercy.

“Sin makes us slaves and wounds us grievously. But in the cross of Jesus, we have the antidote which removes the poison of sin from our hearts,” he added.

The archbishop noted that the sermon’s central point was that God loved the world and sent his only son to die for mankind.

The cleric noted further, “That was not the first time humanity would be bitten by the old serpent. The first was in the Garden of Eden, a bite that changed humanity’s attitude of reverence and love of God into disobedience and self-centredness.

“God, however, gave us a remedy through the cross of Jesus Christ, and all who raise their heads with faith and look at Him are destined to receive healing and salvation. That is why St. John tells us, ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him may not perish but have eternal life.'”

He urged Nigerians, leaders, and followers, to look up to God for deliverance.

“In the midst of the “snake bites” of hunger, poverty, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, etc., leaving us almost helpless, we must like the Psalmist say, ‘I look up to the heavens, where shall my help come from? My help shall come from the Lord who made heaven and earth,'” Mr. Kaigama added.

(NAN)