Archbishop’s 2020 NEW YEAR MESSAGE

he Catholic Archbishop of
Lagos, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred
Adewale Martins has urged
all Nigerians to join hands
to build a strong, united, peaceful pro-
gressive nation in the year 2020.He
said the need to forge a more peace-
ful and united country in the New
Year has become much more desirable
at this period of our national life, in
order to curb the numerous divisive
tendencies that have held the coun-
try hostage for years and hindered it
from attaining real growth and devel-
opment.
In his 2020 New Year message to
Nigerians made available through the
Director of Social Communications,
Rev Fr Anthony Godonu, Archbishop
Martins equally charged the Federal,
States and Local Governments to live
above board by being sincere in their
approach to governance and formu-
lating only policies that would be in
the best interests of the majority of the
citizens.
While expressing satisfaction with
the recent release of Omoyele Sowore
and Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) from the
custody of the DSS, Archbishop Mar-
tins said that such a gesture should be
extended to all detainees who have
been granted bail by the courts. He
argued it that would go a long way to-
wards changing the perception of the
Federal Government in some quar-
ters as undermining the integrity of
the courts by flagrant disobedience of
court judgements.
”I send my sincere best wishes and
prayers to all Nigerians as we enter
into a new decade in 2020. We pray
that peace and tranquillity will reign
in our country. The year 2019 has
been one with many challenges. The
challenges led to the call for a revo-
lution by Omoyele Sowore. All that
happened thereafter are part of our
history now. However, we thank God
that after so much pressure, the At-
torney General of the country finally
directed the DSS to release Omoyele
Sowore and Sambo Dasuki. That is
the way to go! However, we are aware
that there are a number of people, in-
cluding Sheik El Zakzaky, that are still
being detained even after they have
been granted bail by the courts. In the
spirit of the New Year, which I believe
should usher in attitudes of reconcili-
ation, harmony and peace, we appeal
to the government of President Buhari
to once again take the bold step of in-
structing the release of all of them. By
so doing, government would be send-
ing a strong signal to all and sundry
that she is truly committed to the rule
of law. Having sworn to act within the
provisions of the constitution at all
times, government should do the right
thing concerning court judgements
even before internal and external pres-
sure force things to happen.”
He equally reminded President Mu-
hammadu Buhari of his promise to
work towards effecting the release of
Leah Sharibu who is still being held
captive by members of the Boko Har-
am, saying her release would be a pleas-
ant New Year gift to Nigerians.
Archbishop Martins described as sad,
unfortunate and barbaric the recent re-
port of the beheading of 11 Christians
whom ISWAP had abducted and held
captive. While appealing for restraint
in their reaction to this provocative
action, he pleads with the Federal Gov-
ernment to put more decisive measures
in place in order to curb the linger-
ing cases of insecurity in the country
in the New Year. He also appealed to
well-meaning Muslims to work with
Christians and others in order to stamp
out these atrocities carried out in the
name of Allah.
On ways of dousing religious tension
in the country in the New Year, the
Prelate said: “we appeal for a peaceful
co-existence amongst Christians and
Muslims that respects freedom of asso-
ciation and worship in all parts of the
country. No one has a right to disturb
anyone else from worshipping God as
they please. Religious leaders must al-
ways remind their faithful that Nigeria
is a secular country by our constitution
and they must discourage any fanatic
tendencies that lead to religious intol-
erance and bigotry among them”. Final-
ly, the Archbishop wishes all Nigerians
a truly blessed and fruitful 2020 pray-
ing for peace and unity of the nation.