The Metropolitan Archbishop of Lagos, His Grace, The Most Rev’d Alfred Adewale Martins, has stated that one of the greatest gifts that can be offered to His Eminence, Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, Emeritus Archbishop of Lagos, as he marks his 90th birthday, is for those entrusted with the leadership of Nigerians at all levels to redouble their efforts and tackle insecurity. This would enable Nigerians to live in peace, sleep with their eyes closed, and walk the streets without fear or distress.
Martins made this statement yesterday in Lagos during the thanksgiving mass held at Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos, to celebrate Cardinal Okogie’s 90th birthday, 60th priestly ordination anniversary, and 55th episcopal ordination anniversary. The Archbishop, visibly troubled by the activities of terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers, noted that insecurity is a problem that breaks the heart of every Nigerian.
According to him, “As we wake up every day, we hear news of Boko Haram, bandits, and all sorts of criminal elements across the country. As the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, we have often pointed out the directions that need to be followed in dealing with the problems and difficulties of our country.”
Speaking further, he said, “Collectively as a conference and individually at various fora and on different occasions, we have brought these challenges to attention when we had private audiences with our president. He always explained what the government is doing to overcome the problems; however, the problems still persist despite different kinds of successes.”
He lamented that things are getting worse every day. “We hear of people being kidnapped by so-called bandits and uncommon criminals. We hear of soldiers being ambushed and killed, among them generals slaughtered, people displaced from their homes, including traditional rulers, for fear of attacks. We even hear now that bandits delivered the body of an Army General who died in their custody for the families to bury. We still wait for those who received the body to know who they are. We hear of ridiculous demands made by the bandits. It is becoming more difficult to understand what is going on in our country,” Martins said.
Martins urged the federal government to empower all security agencies, including the Police, so they can face the risks associated with their profession. He stressed that everyone is tired and, for that reason, the government at all levels and security agencies should do more to “give our Eminence the gift of a birthday celebration that is worthy of a man who has done so much to impact lives.”
He also called on Nigerians to continue to pray for those in authority, especially those responsible for securing lives and property, adding that prayer answers many things.
Those who brought goodwill messages included His Holiness, Pope Leo 14th, whose message was read by Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Michael Francis Crotty; President of CBCN and Archbishop of Kaduna, His Grace Most Rev’d Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso; Archbishop of Benin, Most Rev’d Augustine Obiora Akubeze; and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, among others.
