Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos has extolled the virtues of late Msgr. Patrick Obayomi whom he said did his best to pass on values that make for loyalty and commitment to service among those who worked with him, including priests, religious, lay faithful and organisations where he was chaplain. Archbishop Martins disclosed this while making remarks during the Funeral Mass held for the deceased priest, recently at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos.
The Archbishop said Msgr. Obayomi showed concern for very many things, including workers’ welfare, adding that if the Monsignor was still alive today, he would have a point of view on the discussion that is going on now concerning the protest against poverty and hunger, and all the troubles that Nigerians are going through. “I am sure he would have an opinion. I’m sure that his opinion will synchronise with those who have rightly said that protests are just an instrument for calling attention to some concerns, or the other that people may have”, he said. According to Archbishop Martins, protests have always been seen as a right that people have to call attention to their problems, as he said Nigerians are facing many problems at this time, advising those who wish to engage in the protest to ensure that they are not infiltrated by bad elements who may want to scuttle an otherwise well-intention act.
Advising the intending protesters to eschew violence and not disturb those who do not wish to take part physically, the Archbishop called on security agencies to exercise maximum restraint in engaging with the people who decide to go on protest. He added that those who wish to simply protest in their own ways, but not in a physical way have a right to do so, and their rights should be protected and respected. The Chief Shepherd called on the government to see the protest as nothing but feedback from the people they govern, adding that protests are often the last resorts that people use to express their right to call attention to their concerns.
He said: “So, we advise that at this time that our government at all levels should speak to the issues that are raised and address them so as to confirm to people that the effort that government is making is with good intention and directed towards the betterment of life of people. “I have no doubt in my opinion that efforts are being made to ensure that lasting solutions are sought and acted upon. The problem is that, the efforts are not yet being felt on the dining tables of people. And the efforts are not yet being felt in the bank accounts of people to pay their school fees and medical bills.” He urged the government to find ways of showing empathy through gestures, including cutting down cost of governance as well as activities and projects that do not have direct benefits to the well-being of the people.
