The government and people of Nigeria have been tasked to work hard and do away with the maladies of greed, selfishness and corruption which have eaten deep into the fabric of the Nigerian nation and save the sinking ship of the country. The charge was given by Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, during the 15th edition of Anthony Cardinal Okogie Foundation, ACOF Annual Lecture, with the theme, “Salvaging a battered and bruised nation”, held Thursday, October 20, 2022 at McGovern Hall, St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, Lagos. Speaking on the theme, which he said is important and relevant to the time, especially as Nigerians look forward to the 2023 general elections, Archbishop Martins noted that the country is faced with banditry, mismanagement of public funds, marginalization of the poor, among other challenges. According to him, “This is a time that we are given another opportunity as elections approach, to save our dear nation from crumbling more than it has already. “Of course, it is easy to point fingers at government, blaming all our woes on government’s inability to steer the ship of our nation in the right direction “However, you must not forget that the maladies of greed, selfishness and corruption that have eaten deep into the fabric of the nation cannot be cleared by government alone.
Therefore, all hands need to be on deck so that we can save the sinking ship of Nigeria.” Speaking on the relevance of the forthcoming elections to the life of the country, the bishop said, “Our Bishops in Nigeria have given us the advice that we engage with those who intend to rule us as a nation and ask questions about what they want to do to salvage our country. Ask them questions and don’t allow them to go until they give us answers that are satisfactory.” He urged Nigerians to vote for people of integrity, who have shown commitment to the common good and who have demonstrated ability to do the right things for the masses. Reminding Catholics of their obligation to be involved in the political activities of the country, the Archbishop urged them to bring the values of Christian, Catholic social teachings to bear on politics in the country. He said: “Clergy are not allowed to participate in partisan politics, but we have a responsibility to be interested in what happens to our people, to our faith, to our nation. “For the lay faithful, partisan politics is within our realm, and we ask you to take interest and to contest and to be part of politics from the ward level up to as far as the national level.
“We thank the Lord that we can see some who are engaging in partisan politics and seeking political offices. We hope that they will engage other Catholics to engage also in partisan politics so that we can bring the values of Christianity to bear on politics as it is done in our nation.” The event organised in honour of Archbishop Emeritus, Anthony Cardinal Okogie, was graced by the Cardinal; Msgr. John Aniagwu, Vicar General Catholic Archdicese of Lagos; Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, represented by Engr. Joe Igbokwe, Special Adviser, Drainage and Water Resources; Dr. Linus Akor, Guest Speaker on the occasion, among other dignitaries.
