Martins tasks govt on policies with human face

Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, the Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins on the heels of hardship in the country bordering on fuel scarcity and dearth of physical cash, has appealed to the ruling leaders to rule with compassion and make policies that would not aggravate the sufferings of the masses.

He said this yesterday during the celebration of the ‘Feast of the Presentation of the Lord – Day of consecrated life celebration 2023,’ at St. John Catholic Church, Igando, Lagos.

Adewale said cash are not available, while fuel is scarce, saying that even if anyone wants to buy the fuel sold at high prices by independent marketers, the money is not even available.  

According to him, the present situation in the country exposes the fact that the government is only interested in rolling out policies without considering its impact on the lives of the people.

He also bemoaned the incessant attacks on innocent and harmless citizens in the North, saying it’s an impression that there was a deliberate and direct effort to create problems for Catholic and Christians in the North. 

Saddened by the killing of a priest in the North recently in the most inhuman way, he called on the government to fulfill its role as protector of lives and properties of the citizens by ensuring that the large population of Christians is secured.

“The duty of any government is to secure lives and properties of the people and also care for their welfare. Where this responsibility is lacking, one wonders the justification for such government to remain in power,” he said.

He, therefore, called on Nigerians to look well before they leap in the coming election by voting those who had been found faithful to power; otherwise, the nation is sitting on the keg of gunpowder. 

He said the teaching of the Feast being celebrated centres on Nigerians living a consecrated life like “our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ as well as life of sacrifice for others.”