The State chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Niger, Most Rev Dr Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, expressed his belief that Nigerians tend to only exhibit love when they anticipate reciprocal benefits.
Bishop Yohanna conveyed this sentiment during the Christmas Mass, which took place at the Catholic Cathedral Church of St. Michael in Kontagora, Kontagora Local Government Area.
The clergy, who also serves as the Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, lamented the absence of authentic love among individuals, arguing that only genuine love accompanied by real sacrifice has the potential to benefit humanity.
He expressed, “In the church today, as well as in society and government, genuine love seems to be lacking. Love is the fundamental principle on which we celebrate Christmas.
“As Christians, it is our responsibility to demonstrate and spread love to everyone, especially to the underprivileged, the sick, those in need, and the elderly.
“Unfortunately, the love we exhibit is often contingent on the expectation of receiving something in return.”
He urged leaders to consistently consult with the people before initiating any project, emphasizing, “If a leader genuinely loves his people, he engages them in discussions about their actual needs and how the initiatives will benefit them.”
Additionally, he remarked, “The President or governor must first assess whether the program will have a positive impact on the people or not. My concern is that politicians only remember the common man during elections, and afterward, they are left to fend for themselves.”
“Jesus gained popularity among the people because he consistently prioritized the poor and offered them assistance. With genuine love, the issues we currently face would not exist.”
