By Vivian Onyebukwa
Archbishop of the Metropolitan Sea of Lagos, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr Alfred Adewale Martins has urged the government to take urgent and drastic measures to tackle economic hardship in Nigeria.
The Archbishop was speaking at the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and Investiture of Papal Knights and Medals, which took place at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos.
According to the Archbishop, there’s evidence of hardship all over the country that needs drastic action to avert what he referred to as an imminent blast.
To curb the economic hardship, he advised the government to encourage private enterprises for them to be able to thrive within the nation.
“More than anything else, it is the private enterprises that are capable of providing the jobs and wellbeing that can turn around this country, and until government provides the enabling environment, it is going to be difficult for them to thrive.”
He frowned at the multiple taxations despite the fact that facilities and infrastructure needed are not adequately provided to drive the economy.
He urged the government officials to lead by example, as to justify corruption by any stretch of imagination is certainly not the best.
Speaking on the protest embarked by Nigerians to demand for good governance, he acknowledged the fact that the citizens have the right to protest, but not in a way to jeopardise the peace of the nation. “We know that one of the ways in which people can give feedback to government about their state of lives and situation is by protesting. Some go out to protest in public, others are protesting silently. This should be accommodated as long as it does not lead to criminal activities. The right to protest should be secured and respected”.
He condemned the fact that some people were arrested during the protest, saying that it is unacceptable that people were arrested and denied access to their lawyers or family members. “Whatever the case may be, our law still provides that people are presumed innocent until proven guilty. So they should be given their rights to protect their dignity. As long as we cannot condole crimes, but for people who are demonstrating that they are not satisfied or that they are hungry, there’s absolutely no justification for holding or even arraigning them. People should be given their rights to good representation and rights to be heard”.
On the duties of the church and citizens in the society, he said, “The church must continue it’s role of helping people to recognise the values that are important and values that serve the common good (Integrity, honesty, and self-control), and I must say we have a commitment to it. However, as citizens, we should understand we too have a role to play. You will be shocked to know that sometimes the poor ones also oppress those who are poorer than them, and those who are at advantage create disadvantage to others. As citizens, we must recognise that we all have a duty to the welfare of one another”.
Speaking about the Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross during his homily, the Archbishop explained that the cross is at the very centre of the faith of the Christians, saying, “It is woven of prayers, lives, and homes into our very identity as Christians. The celebration is for us to contemplate the misery”
He described the cross as a sign of victory. “When we celebrate the cross, we are not glamorising the cross. The cross is not of defeat, but victory. It is a sign of triumph over suffering and death. It is the means by which God offers salvation. The Cross is not something to be avoided; It is something we are called to embrace our comfort. It is a call to live for others”, he explained.
The two-in-one event also witnessed the conferment of Knighthood and Medals to some of the eminent Catholic Faithfuls. They included, Christine Doja Otedola, wife of the former governor of Lagos State, Late Michael Otedola. Others were Walter Ifeanyi Akpani, a banker, P
