THE Association of Papal Knights and Medalists in Nigeria (APKMN), has told the Federal Government to ensure that corruption ‘which is very prevalent and stifling development” is rooted out of the country.
APKMN position was contained in a communique issued at the end of the Catholic Knights’ 12th annual National Conference held at Bishop Kelly Pastoral Center, Benin City, Edo State.
The communique signed by APKMN’ National President, Dame Esther Uduehi, and National Secretary, Vrenzak Dawap, called on those in privileged positions to ‘avoid nepotism and corruption and should think more of the generality of the country rather than personal and sectional interest”.
The association urged the government at all levels to judiciously plan for and use the resources available more for the enhancement of the welfare of the majority of the people, particularly the less privileged.
The communique read in parts “Government should be proactive and not sweep under the carpet the lessons and issues raised in the End SARS Protests and should do something positive to avoid the use of live ammunitions on its innocent citizens at any time and for any reason.
“The Association believes that if Government was proactive in guiding and protecting the EndSARS Protesters the national embarrassment of the brutal murder at Lekki would have been avoided.
“While recognizing their inalienable rights to protest over the ills of government, the youths should realise that this country and all therein belong to them as future leaders and that wanton destruction of property is a cost to them and the whole country and should be avoided no matter the provocation.”
The association resolved “to commit more support to vulnerable members of the communities generously with palliatives as act of corporal works of mercy and dispose themselves to individual and collective spiritual growth while striving to improve on their commitment in all their religious activities”
While advising members to always come to the aid of the less privileged, the youths and the children, the association urged them to be more involved in the work of evangelization and in the growth of the church in all ramification.
“Catholics in general and members in particular should not shy away from or neglect to use technical facilities at their disposal, especially the use of modern media technology, to evangelize, assist the church, the Local Ordinaries and their Parishes as well as courageously always standing by the truth,” the communique added.
