Catholic Bishop Urges Nigerians to demand accountability from govts

…As Catholic Bishops set to meet with Pope

By Yagana Ali Yola.

Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza of the Catholic Diocese of Yola has called on journalists to remain objective, courageous, and truthful in their reporting, emphasizing the critical role of the media in nation-building. 

Speaking during the Catholic Church’s World Communications Week, Bishop Mamza acknowledged the challenges journalists face but urged them to uphold ethical standards and avoid fueling further tension in the country

Bishop Mamza stressed that journalists play a vital role in shaping public opinion and influencing societal discourse. “Your work as journalists is dangerous and sensitive,” 

He said. “We always keep you in our prayers. But it’s not enough to rely on prayers alone. You must also remain committed to truthful reporting—report the facts without stirring further crisis in our communities.”

The Bishop also expressed concerns about Nigeria’s worsening economic condition, warning against the federal government’s plans to secure new foreign loans. 

Describing the country’s current debt burden as “suffocating,” he appealed to the President to halt further borrowing. “We have heard about the billions of dollars the government is planning to borrow again. 

My appeal to President Tinabu is: don’t borrow money again,” he said. Instead, he urged the government to focus on accountability, particularly regarding funds already recovered by anti-corruption agencies like the EFCC. “There should be proper accountability for the huge sums already recovered. Nigerians want to know the whereabouts of such monies,” he emphasized.

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Bishop Mamza highlighted the relevance of this year’s World Communications Day theme, “Sharing with Gentleness the Hope in Your Heart,” to Nigeria’s present realities. 

“This year was declared by the late Pope Francis as the Year of Hope. And in a nation like Nigeria, where so many feel hopeless due to insecurity, poverty, and political instability, the Church is encouraging everyone not to give up,” he said. 

He emphasized the need for hope and responsibility, urging Nigerians to demand accountability from their leaders.

The Bishop also announced that Nigerian Catholic Bishops will have an audience with the Pope during their Ad Limina visit in March 2026. This periodic consultation, where bishops report on the state of their dioceses, highlights the Vatican’s concern for Nigeria’s situations 

Bishop Mamza’s message serves as a call to action for journalists, policymakers, and the public to work towards a more accountable and prosperous Nigeria.