The Archbishop, Metropolitan See of Lagos, Most Reverend Alfred Adewale Martins, has called on Nigerians to continue to pray for the country to over its numerous challenges.

Martins, who gave the advice recently at the 2024 Provincial Day for St. Jude Catholic Society held at St. Leo’s Catholic Church, Ikeja, Lagos, also enjoined Nigerians to lead a spirit-filled lifestyle.

Acknowledging the difficult situation the nation is currently in, as a trying period, the Prelate admonished the political elite, including those occupying political offices to listen to the voice of the people, come out with right policies that will impact the people for good and also to govern well.
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He said: “You promised a lot of things when you came in, try to live up to those promises and care for the people.”

The Archbishop, who was represented at the event by the Parish Priest of St. Agnes and Episcopal Vicar of Ikeja Region, Father Anthony Taye Fadairo, said Nigeria is in distress and the citizens must pray for the nation.

He said: “We need your prayers, but it is not sufficient to pray. We must all live in accordance of our prayers. You pray that there should be love. You yourself, everybody must show love. Everybody must show some concern; so, care for one another.

“God is the provider of all things. He is the only one that can truly solve all the nation’s problems. We are to look up to Him and pray continually for those who lead and govern the nation for God to open their eyes to see the need of the people and then give them the wisdom, courage and grace to rule people and do the right things.”

“If there is love, then we care. If you love your neighbour, you will help him to live well in accordance to God’s plan. One love keeps us together. Love is everything. What we are experiencing in the country is lack of love. If somebody decides to take what belongs to all to himself or herself, that is lack of charity; if you truly love, even things that you work for, you will be ready to share with those who are less privileged.”

President, Lagos Ecclesiastical Provincial Council of St. Jude Catholic Society, Mr. Romanus Ikechukwu Onyeulor, said the province, made up of Lagos Archdiocese, Abeokuta and Ijebu Ode Dioceses, came together to celebrate their patron saint, Saint Jude, as well as to synergise to spread the gospel and foster bond of unity and togetherness as one big family.

He said: “We needed to come together as one family so that we can keep our love together and grow our life, touch more lives, evangelise and bring more souls to Christ.”
At the events, couples also renewed their marital vows, while the society launched a new bus for evangelism.
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