Archbishop John Onaiyekan's New Year's message to Nigeria

The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John  Onaiyekan on New Year's Day urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to pardon those involved in money laundering if they were willing to return such funds.

Cardinal John Onaiyekan's full speech:

“It is okay to expose people and disgrace them, but that will not solve the problem.
“If we want our money back, we have to strategise so that the countries that are keeping our money can feel challenged to return them.

“The easiest way to get the money back is to convince them to go bring the money back, and then it will be easy.
“One way to convince people to bring stolen money back is to promise them that they will not be disgraced,’’

“This is different from plea bargain where you tell a person who stole hundred billion of naira to return fifty billion and be forgiven; that for me is not the right thing.
“If you have stolen hundred million and you are ready to bring back all, then we will leave you and not send you to jail, Nigeria can do that.’’

“The success of the party that won was built on a promise of change and will be in the spotlight of spectators in this New Year.
“We can say that from May till now, it has been a period of consolidating, making strategies and preparing.

“2016 will be a year that we will now begin to see exactly where we are going and how we are moving,” Onaiyekan said.
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“We must find a way to discuss and negotiate the peace and tranquility of our nation,” he said.