Today is Ash Wednesday!

For Nigerian Christians, it is a beginning of a bitter Lenten Season. 

The ashes are black!

We have known so much pain these days.

So, it is a black Ash Wednesday!

If the ash is to remind us of our mortality, and so, of the call to repentance, conversion and transformation, we now live in a state where we need not be reminded of our mortality.

Death surrounds us!

It stares us coldly right into the eyes!

It dares us everyday!

The blood that flows in our homes, cities, streets, communities and even forests has hardened into a dark frozen river!

The IDP camps brim over!

There is no where to run to. Everyone is overwhelmed.

The Government whose job is, first and foremost, security appear confused and rattled.

In its dazed mood, there is no flicker of hope, no order, no dignity anymore!

But we can’t eat excuses for bread.

Think of the deceased!

Think of the victims!

Think of Michael Nnadi, the seminarian,

Think of Pastor Lawan Andimi, the CAN leader,

Think of Ropvil Daciya, the UNIMAID student,

Think of Dr. Ataga’s darling wife,

Think of the victims of the ‘horror roads’ in our country,

Think of the trauma of relatives.

Indeed, we are assailed on all sides!

The call by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference for all Christians to dress in black today is a right call.

May our collective solidarity in prayer and penance bring us healing,

May it be a prophetic statement of caution to the government,

May it be a loud warning that we are not part of this nonsense! 

So help us God!