By Israel Bulus, Kaduna

The Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Mal. Issa Lanre-Onilu, has presented the National Values Charter Plaque to the Northern Christian Youth Professionals in recognition of their contributions to national unity, patriotism, and religious tolerance.

Onilu made the presentation on Monday when a delegation of the group paid a courtesy visit to the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

He commended the NCYP for supporting the Tinubu/Shettima Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket during the 2023 elections, despite strong opposition from many Northern Christian communities.

“I have known this group for quite some time. You took a principled stand to support President Tinubu’s ticket when others opposed it,” Onilu said. “Today, the wisdom of that decision is evident through inclusive governance and reform-driven leadership. That is what this plaque represents—patriotism and nation-building.”

Earlier, the Chairman of the NCYP, Isaac Abrak, said the group comprises Christian professionals from the 19 Northern states and the FCT who are committed to bridging divides and promoting merit-based politics.

He said their support for Tinubu was based on his track record as Lagos governor, particularly his reforms at the grassroots level and initiatives that turned street youths into contributors to the state economy. He credited these reforms with boosting Lagos’ internally generated revenue from N6bn to N11bn monthly.

The NCYP chairman also backed the Supreme Court ruling on local government financial autonomy and offered the group’s 30,000-member network to work with NOA’s offices across the 774 local governments to drive public awareness and implementation.

“The NCYP remains connected to the grassroots. We are ready to partner with the NOA to ensure local government autonomy works for the people,” Abrak said.

Onilu called on Nigerians to support the Tinubu administration, highlighting ongoing projects such as the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the creation of Regional Development Commissions as efforts aimed at boosting economic growth and inclusivity.

The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama has called on political and religious leaders in Nigeria to show mercy for the citizens and be god examples.

He told political leaders that if they are not read to sacrifice their time and life for the people, they do not deserve election, let alone praises.

Kaigama expressed these views in his Palm Sunday Message delivered at Our Lady Queen Of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral, Abuja, with the theme, “The King who chooses the Cross as His throne”, taken from Isaiah 5:4-7; Philippians 2:6-11; and Luke 22: 14- 23:56, obtained by journalists on Monday.

He said, “These readings reveal to us the true nature of divine love, it lowers itself, serves, and gives without counting the cost. Christ did not cling to power or demand His rights, He descended, in order to lift us up. His humility becomes His glory.

“Lessons: We see how they shouted “Hosanna” and then suddenly “Crucify him.” Are we surprised? Don’t we do the same? We very solemnly receive Jesus in the Eucharist only to go out and live a life that contradicts all we have received? We say, “Jesus I love you, all I have is yours, yours I am, yours I want to be, do with me whatever you will,” but proceed after to live a life of jealousy, dishonesty, lies, hatred, evil, etc.

“Christ shows us that true greatness is found in humility, not pride, and true love is tested in trial, not comfort, just as true discipleship means walking with Jesus not only in moments of glory but also in moments of pain.

“Today’s celebration calls our leaders to be merciful leaders eager to provide basic amenities for their people. We call on leaders, not to be carried away by people’s hailing and calling titles such as “Your Excellency,” “Distinguished,” “Honorable,” “Your Majesty,” “Your Eminence,” “Your Grace,” etc., but to be determined to achieve the purpose of their being leaders.

“Political leaders should be aware that in our country today, after election victory, people shout “Hosanna” to their leaders, but with hunger and insecurity ravaging our dear country, and when people are at breaking point, they shout in desperation “crucify them, crucify them.”

“The same happens to religious leaders, especially when we promise wealth, healing, miracles, and people don’t see these, because these promises are not rooted in the Lord. They will shout “crucify them,” in our case too because some of us are deceitful, dishonest, manipulative, and self-centered, and even recklessly use the funds the congregations make great sacrifices to collect.

“Leaders should learn that only once did Jesus allow people to sing His praises. Always, He would shun anyone who tried to praise Him publicly. But today, when He was marked for death, He entered Jerusalem publicly and allowed the multitudes to sing His praises. This was because His hour had come. If you are not ready as a leader to sacrifice your time and life for your people, then, don’t allow them to elect you, let alone to sing your praises.

“We learn also that we should not command God in prayer. At the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus prayed: “Abba Father … remove this cup from me; yet not what I will, but what you will”. It will be nice if we add this clause whenever we make a request of God, to do not as we will but as He wills instead.”