Cardinal Onaiyekan’s Legacy and the Need for Presidential Damage Control
ON THE PRESIDENCY VS. CATHOLIC CHURCH: THE HANDLERS OF MR. PRESIDENT GOOF. THEY NEED TO DO DAMAGE CONTROL
By Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli – On August 3, 2026, His Eminence, John Cardinal Olorunfemi Onaiyekan is marking his 57th year as a Catholic priest.
Onaiyekan has been CAN Chairman of Kwara State. He has been President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) for two terms. He has been President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). He has been Co-President of the Nigeria Interreligious Council (NIREC).
He has been President of the Catholic Bishops Conferences of West Africa (RECOWA) for two terms. He has been President of the Symposium of Catholic Bishops Conferences in the continent of Africa (SECAM). He has been President of the African Council for Religious Leaders (ACRL).
He has been Co-President of the World Council of Religions for Peace (WCRL-RfP). He is an Honorary Life President of WRCL-RfP. He has been a Member of the General Council of the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican for several years. He has been a Member of the Global Agenda Council on Religions at the World Economic Forum (WEF).
Onaiyekan has been president of every possible national and continental Christian body you can dream of.
Cardinal Onaiyekan is already 82 years old and God has immensely blessed him. His parents each died at 92, ten years apart from each other. Longevity flows in the Onaiyekan family. But even if Onaiyekan were to die today, he has lived a most accomplished life.
He graduated from secondary school in Aliade in 1962 with the best result in the whole of northern Nigeria and turned down a scholarship to study anywhere in the world from the Sardauna and Premier, Sir Ahmadu Bello.
He went to seminary and became a priest at 25, finished his doctorate in Rome with first class honors at 32, became the youngest ever rector of a Catholic major seminary in Nigeria at 34, was appointed to two Vatican International Commissions at 36, became a bishop at 38, an archbishop at 50, and a cardinal at 68.
He has been auxiliary bishop of Ilorin, bishop of Ilorin, apostolic administrator of Ilorin, co-adjutor bishop of Abuja, bishop of Abuja, Archbishop of Abuja and administor of Ahiara Diocese when they had issue for a combined period of 36 years.
As a Cardinal, he has participated in the election of three (3) popes: Pope Benedict XVl, Pope Francis and present Pope Leo XlV.
Such highly placed personality should not be insulted by overzealous presidential aides in the name of doing their jobs.
Nigeria is 65 years, with 16 former presidents and heads of state. The Catholic Church has existed for over 2000 years with 267 popes. It is the only Church whose head, the Holy Pontiff, holds three key offices: Head of the Universal Catholic Church, Head of Christians all over the world and Head of State of the Vatican City that is independent of the Italian government.
It is the only Church and religious institution in the world that own Embassies (Nunciatures) and sends Ambassadors (Papal Nuncios) all over the world. It is also the only Church whose Baptismal Card is respected by embassies of different countries and institutions all over the world.
The influence of His Eminence, John Cardinal Olorunfemi Onaiyekan is far beyond the African continent. He is a scholar of international repute whose scholarship is celebrated globally.
Political leaders and handlers of Mr president must learn how to manage criticisms especially at a time like this.
It is also pertinent to add that, it shall amount to wishful thinking to ever wish away the influence of over 38 million Nigerian Catholics in Nigeria’s politics, particularly as we countdown to the 2027 general elections.
Moving forward, i urge Barr. Daniel Bwala and his colleagues to formally tender an unreserved apology to the Catholic Church, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and His Eminence, John Cardinal Olorunfemi Onaiyekan himself.
Apology is never a sign of weakness, rather, it shows maturity and high sense of responsibility. The above is what is needed because it will help to heal some injuries and also disappoint whoever that is trying to make political capital out of the prevalent situation.
~~~ Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli is a registered member of the APC, who appreciates the efforts of Mr. President, and wishes him well.
