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By Vivian Onyebukwa
The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Reverend Adewale Martins, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to speak directly to Nigerians as a way of allaying their fears over the increasing insecurity across the country.
He said: “Let our President speak to us and tell us what is being done to ensure that everything goes well. It is not enough to look forward to retirement; it is important to see and ensure that things are in place before then.”
According to him, some Nigerians are of the view that the 2023 elections will not take place, considering the incessant attacks by insurgents across the country.
“That is why we must call on our government to, please, ensure that they allay the fears of our people that the elections will not take place,” Martins said.
He equally urged Nigerians to take the forthcoming 2023 general election seriously, as preparations about the elections are coming: “Sometimes, we can relax under the impression that our votes will not count and then we don’t pay attention. The votes will count. Let us take these elections seriously. Let us listen to what the politicians have to say because that will help us in determining what we do with our votes.”
Speaking at his 10th installation anniversary, the clergyman also called on all Catholic faithful not to relent in praying for Nigeria and those in authority.
“I would like that all of us would, please, storm the heavens with our prayers for Nigeria. We all know the circumstance in which we have found ourselves and we can count all the challenges from one end of the street to the other because they are so many, and that is why we need to ask the Lord to take perfect control.”
He described the Rosary as the weapon of war by Mother Mary, which he said was successful in years past.
“Certainly, it will be successful in our time because God is the same on the throne. Our Mother is the same. Let us pray the Rosary,” he added.
On his 10th installation anniversary, Martins attributed his success so far in the diocese to what he described as the labour of the Archdiocese’s heroes of faith who laboured before him.
“If I stand tall today, it is because I have had the good fortune of standing on the shoulders of giants who came before me. As the song says: I am stronger for their courage, and I am wiser for their wealth. Their wealth of wisdom and vision has made an impact in ensuring that we have an Archdiocese, and we have the lay,” Martins said.
The atmosphere was filled with excitement at the 10th anniversary and 63rd birthday celebration of the Catholic Archbishop at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos.
The occasion also witnessed the ordination of nine reverends fathers in the Catholic priesthood by the archbishop. The priests included Loius Anyanwu, Richard Nwabugwu, Emmanuel Fashanu, Clement Idobogbe, Paul Mba, Benjamin Mkpahu, Hilary Ongunyemi, Dominic Okafor and Anthony Olympio.
Present on the occasion were Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okojie, Archbishop Emeritus of Lagos, other archbishops and bishops from different parts of the country, including Most Rev. Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin, Archbishop of Ibadan Archdiocese, Very Rev. Fr. Anselm Pendo Láwàní, diocesan administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Ilorin, Bishop John Akinwunmi Oyejola of Osogbo Diocese, and Bishop Peter Kayode Odetoyinbo, Abeokuta Diocese, among others.
Visiting priests from many other dioceses, religious and members of different organisations equally graced the occasion.
The event started with a high mass. The Most Rev. Augustine Akubeze, Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Benin City, said the homily. Akubeze congratulated Martins on his anniversary. He expressed gratitude to him for his profound works and examples shown so far in his 10 years as a bishop. He described him as a leader who has led the faithful with love and compassion.
Akubeze equally congratulated the ordained priests and advised them to spread the word of God according to the Spirit, as they have now been vested with the power and unction to perform on the basis of capacity. He further advised them to strive to improve themselves in all ramifications so as to promote and protect the virtues of the church, while being obedient and submissive to the authorities of the church.
He recognised the presence of Cardinal Okogie, as well as the religious leaders of other faiths. He appealed to political leaders to listen to the plight of the people they govern and enjoined the public to be true to their conscience in the coming elections.
While commending the effort of security agencies, he also sought God’s protection over them.
Rev. Fr. Benjamin Mkpahu, one of the new priests, expressed gratitude to God for their accomplishment, attributing it to prayer, perseverance, the grace and mercy of God.
