Martins urges Nigerians to imbibe spirit of unity
Asks FG to declare state of emergency on food sector to tackle hunger
THE Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. ( Dr) Alfred Adewale Martins, has urged Nigerians to make more efforts to live in the spirit of brotherly love, unity, and selfless sacrifices that the Easter event presents to Nigerians.
He said that this should be imperative for peaceful coexistence.
Martins also said that this year's Easter season offers Nigerians another opportunity to reflect deeply on the love of God for humanity who offered his only- begotten Son as a sacrificial lamb to redeem mankind from the shackles of sin and eternal damnation to enter into the joy of eternal beatitude.
The Prelate, who gave the admonition in his Easter message signed by Director of Social Communications, Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu, noted that it is only by practising the true virtues of love for one another and empathy at this critical period that Nigerians, irrespective of their tribe and faith, could live in true peace and harmony, not minding the grave economic and security challenges that they are facing.
The cleric, while calling for more stringent measures to tackle insecurity, implored the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the food sector to tackle the hunger and deprivation being experienced by Nigerians owing to the parlous state of the economy.
He said:" At Easter, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is the core of our faith as Christians. It is a special period when we are expected to unite with Christ by serving Him through offering our services to others, especially those who are in great need. Easter reminds us to continue to proclaim the mystery of our faith as Christians: Christ has died; Christ has risen; Christ will come again.
"As we have commemorated the suffering and death of Christ and now, we rejoice in His resurrection at Easter, we must also be mindful of the spiritual implications of the season because they reveal to us the importance of sacrifice and love for one another. These are important virtues that we need to make more abundant and demonstrate more vigorously at this period that we are confronted with immense economic hardship, poverty and social dysfunction.”
Martins, who condemned the recent murder of 17 officers and men of the Nigerian Army at Okuama Community in Delta State, urged the federal and state governments to ensure that all those found culpable are made to face the full wrath of the law.