…Support calls for state police
The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Alfred Adewale Martins, has called on the government both at the federal and state levels to ensure all hands are on deck to rescue Nigerians from hunger and lack.
“Certainly, there is obviously no doubt that many of our people are having challenges with even such a basic thing as food. It is necessary for the government at all levels, local, state and federal, to really think seriously,” Martins said during the 2025 Chrism Mass and renewal of priestly vow at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos.
He also urged the government to leverage local talents in tackling the current high-cost of living challenges being faced by many households on the back of unfavourable government economic policies.
“We have lots and lots of experts; we should harvest all the thoughts, not to restrict them to those who are officially in government, all the thoughts that are there, and distill them so that the people can feel a sense of relief from hunger and lack,” he said.
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The Archbishop also acknowledged that the current socio-economic challenges did not start today, and called for collaboration from all citizens in ensuring more Nigerians are lifted out of poverty.
“Well of course we know we didn’t get here in one day, it has been a long coming thing and there has not been adequate response to the challenge and as a result we are where we are today.
“Food is not basic any more from the way things are now in our country, many have to beg before they can eat and this is very sad especially in a nation that is full of abundance, all kinds of resources are here,” Martins said.
Speaking on the incessant killings in the middle belt, Martins said the government must think seriously about how to rescue the country from the challenges of chaos that are arising across Nigeria.
He added that it is obvious that those being killed and displaced would not fold their arms, which could result in self defence that will further lead to more chaos if the security situation does not improve drastically.
“Those who are undergoing this stress of being killed and maimed, they are not just going to sit and watch, they are beginning to think of how to defend themselves, and unless the state takes action, we are going to land ourselves in chaos, and that is why I am of the opinion that we begin to think seriously about the issue of state police, so that the state can have some measure of control over their localities. Whatever the challenges with state police, I am sure there are some ways of overcoming them,” Martins said.
Anthony Akinwale, earlier in his Homily, said holiness is the antidote for corruption in the country and urged the priest to strive for holiness of life. “Our mission as priestly people of God is to strive for holiness of life, and to sanctify the world by our own in our homes and places of work, play and leisure, in our places of buying and selling.”
