Catholic Archbishop preaches hope as Nigeria marks World Day of Peace

By Philip Nwosu

Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Reverend Adewale Martin, has called on Nigerians to embrace hope, demand accountability from leaders and work collectively toward peace

The admonition is coming amid the rising spate of insecurity, economic hardship and religious tension in the country. Reverend Adewale Martin, who spoke during an interaction with journalists to mark the 59th World Day of Peace, reflected on Pope Leo XIV’s first peace message, urging the world to pursue what he described as an “unarmed and disarming peace.”

According to him, the Pope’s message, issued as his first official communication since assuming office, challenges nations to move away from peace sustained by fear, violence or the accumulation of weapons. “The peace we are talking about is not a peace that comes from mutual fear of what the other can do, but a deliberate effort to ensure there is no conflict, no disharmony, and that development can take place,” he said.

The Archbishop lamented the persistent violence across the country, including terrorism, kidnappings and armed banditry. He acknowledged the recent US military collaboration with Nigeria in targeting terrorists’ camps, describing the intervention as a wake-up call that had injected fresh urgency into the government’s efforts to address insecurity.

“When issues go beyond the capacities of any country, it becomes necessary to seek help. This collaboration has given another impetus to ensure government really wakes up to the challenges of the time,” he stated.

However, he cautioned that lasting peace cannot be imposed by foreign powers. “The peace we desire will not be established by the United States or any foreign country. It will be established by us, with whatever help we can get,” he added.

He stressed the need for the military and other security agencies to intensify “mop-up” operations, warning against overreliance on foreign forces. The cleric raised the alarm over reports that terrorists displaced by military action were relocating to other parts of the country, including Benue State, and urged heightened vigilance by local and regional security outfits.

He cited the role of the Amotekun Corps in the South-West as an example of how local security structures can effectively respond to threats, renewing calls for a fresh national conversation on state policing.

Commenting on the controversy surrounding the new Tax Reform Act, the Archbishop said disagreements over the authenticity of the law should be resolved transparently by comparing the alleged versions side by side.