The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev, (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins has called for better synergy and understanding among adherents of all religions in the country, particularly Christians and Muslims in order to build a more united and prosperous nation. He said there was need for more religious harmony at this period in our national life and to build bridges of love, peace and mutual respect for one another.
He also stressed on the need to shun all negative tendencies capable of fuelling disaffection and acrimony between adherents of the various religions in the country. In his 2020 Sallah message to Muslims signed by the Director of Social Communication, Rev Fr Anthony Godonu, Archbishop Martins, while felicitating with Muslims across the country on the occasion of the Ramadan festival, urged them to always commit themselves to the pursuance of peace and total submission to the will of God, as preached by Prophet Mohammed.
“At this auspicious season of Ramandan, I wish to convey my sincere felicitation to my Muslim brothers and sisters across the country on the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan fast. I wish also to remind and admonish them to allow the spirit of love, charity and total submission to the will of God which they exhibited throughout the Ramandan season to lead them always. Such virtues are no doubt essential in the lives of every citizen of this country in our resolve to make Nigeria a more prosperous country.
” While acknowledging the enormous sacrifices made by the faithful these past weeks by staying away from their places of worship in adherence to the social distancing guideline for the containment of COVID-19, Archbishop Martins urged them to continue to exercise patience and cooperate with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 to help stem the tide of the spread of the virus in the nation. Archbishop Martins prayed God for a speedy end to the coronavirus pandemic across the world and called on all Nigerians to continue to live together in harmony irrespective of religion, tribe and political affiliations