The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins marked his 37th priestly ordination anniversary on Friday September 18, 2020 with a clarion call on the country’s political leaders to be more alive to their constitutional responsibilities. The Archbishop who took time off to thank the Almighty for His blessings upon his life through the past 37 years of serving in His vineyard at a private thanksgiving Mass at the Holy Cross Cathedral, reiterated the need for government across board to do more in alleviating the hardship being experienced by the masses as a result of economic recession occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic.
He also charged the leadership to be more empathic to the prevailing hardship by taking another look at ways of reducing the high cost of premium spirit and electricity tariffs which have since led to astronomical increase in cost of food and services across the country. According to him, as the 60th Independence anniversary draws nearer, government should, as a matter of great urgency, put in place far reaching measures that would unite all Nigerian citizens and inbue within them a renewed sense of patriotism and pride for their fatherland.
Archbishop Martins was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Lagos at the Holy Cross Cathedral on September 18, 1983 together with seven other priests: Very Rev. Msgr. Edmund Akpala; Very Rev. Msgr. Jerome Oduntan; late Very Rev. Msgr. Christopher Ajala; Very Rev. Fr. Alphonsus Ania; Very Rev. Fr. Michael Akintolu; Very Rev. Fr. Peter Oke and Very Rev. Fr. Pascal Atomori.
They are known as the ‘Class of 8’. A native of Abeokuta, in the year 1996, following the creation of Abeokuta diocese, he was appointed by Pope John Paul II as the first Bishop of the new Diocese. He served tirelessly for fourteen years, building a strong and virile community of God’s people in love. As a reward for his excellent performance, and following the retirement of His Eminence Anthony Cardinal Okogie on attaining the mandatory age of retirement, His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI 25th May 2012, elevated Bishop Alfred Adewale Martins to the position of an Archbishop and Metropolitan of the See of the Archdiocese of Lagos, which also covers Abeokuta and Ijebu Ode dioceses.
He was enthroned on August 4, 2012 at a colorful event in Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos. Eight years as Archbishop, His Grace is waxing stronger by the day, shepherding God’s flocks to greener pastures in love and true servitude. We join other numerous admirers to wish His Grace and indeed all the other priests who make up the ‘Class of 8’ a merry 37th priestly ordination celebration.
