By John Alechenu, Abuja

Catholic Cardinal John Onaiyekan has called on Northern political leaders to prioritize the welfare of their citizens, emphasizing that Nigeria’s progress depends significantly on the North’s development.

This call was made when Senator Ibrahim Shekarau and the League of Northern Democrats (LND) visited him at his residence in Abuja.

Reflecting on the state of the region, Onaiyekan stated, “We must face reality, the way Northern Nigeria is today is nothing we should be proud of. In all the indices, be it poverty – the North is at the center.”

He noted the pressing issues of poverty, education, and unemployment, urging the LND to hold leaders accountable to create meaningful change, especially for the youth and vulnerable communities.

At 80, Onaiyekan reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for justice and development. “If the North doesn’t progress, Nigeria won’t move forward, and if Nigeria doesn’t progress, neither will Africa,” he added. He expressed his disappointment that the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), which he helped establish, has struggled to meet its objectives due to negative politics and religious extremism.

Senator Shekarau, who leads the LND and is a former governor of Kano State, highlighted Onaiyekan’s historical role in NIREC’s formation. He called on the Cardinal to continue his support for the league’s mission of unity and socio-economic upliftment across the North and Nigeria.