The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, has exhorted Nigerians to hold on to their faith and believe that God would free our nation from the chains of poor governance and the ensuing poverty, injustice, inequality, and marginalisation.
He exhorted the populace to be hopeful that peace and prosperity will return to Nigeria at some point.
According to Archbishop Martins' Christmas message for 2022, just as Jesus' birth on Christmas Eve brought redemption to all of mankind, so too would his coming on Christmas this year result in a favourable change to the nation's socioeconomic and political climate. Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu, director of social communications, signed the letter.
Christmas should serve as a reminder to Nigerians that God has not forgotten them, the archbishop added. But the moment of victory over those who wish to see us regress is rapidly approaching.
“Just as Christmas begets hope for humanity, so also it heralds hope for our country Nigeria, particularly when millions of citizens are in pain and frustrated due to hardship in the land. We must cultivate the spirit of expectancy.
“Just as the story of Christmas is the story of God’s unending love for us, my message to you is that God loves us, and so his love is bound to beget hope; hope for a better tomorrow. As the Prophet Isaiah prophesied, our salvation is close at hand.”
“However, as they say: heaven helps those who help themselves, so all Nigerians need to do the needful; we must all pay keen attention to the political happenings as we look forward to the general elections coming up next year. All eligible Nigerians who have registered must take time to go and get their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) and come out en-masse to cast their votes in February and March 2023. We must ensure that we cast out votes not on the basis of primordial sentiments but on the bases of character, capacity, competence and demonstrated disposition to change the fortunes of this great nation,” Martins said.
The archbishop advised Nigerians not to sell their votes to the highest political bidder for money to protect their future and their children’s future, and he prayed for the spirit of discernment to help them elect the proper leaders in the upcoming elections.
He made a similar call to the political elite, urging them to let God’s dread motivate them to further the common good rather than the interests of a select few.