Better days ahead, Catholic bishop tells Nigerians

Despite the hard times the nation is facing, the Catholic Archbishop of Metropolitan See of Lagos, Most Reverend Adewale Martins, said there are better days ahead.

He urged Nigerians to keep faith in God and offer prayers for the government to surmount the current challenges.

The archbishop yesterday spoke at the solemn admission of about 1,000 faithful into Association of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary.

The event was held at St. Luke’s Military Catholic Church in 174 Battalion Army Barracks, Odogunyan, Ikorodu.

Rev. Martins said there is no problem too big for God to solve, noting that the current challenges facing the nation were a reminder for people to move closer to God and seek divine intervention in solving the challenges. The Catholic bishop told leaders not to overstretch the people’s patience, saying they needed to seek divine guidance in their efforts to bring lasting solution to the current challenges.

Justice and fairness, he said, must be the government’s guiding principle to lead the country out of hardship.

He said: “We should hope for the better in face of present challenges. I believe there is light at the end of the tunnel in. But, we need to be patient and remain in prayers for the country. Our leaders should not take our patience for granted. Governments at all level need to listen to all complaints from the people and address them.

“The people need to have assurance that something is being done to solve the challenges we face in our economy, with the falling of Naira and key infrastructure. Our leaders should seek divine intervention in taking the country out of its challenges and they must be guided by principle of fairness and justice.”

Admonishing the inductees on selfless service, Rev. Martins urged members of the association to imbibe the exemplary values of Jesus Christ, saying their admission into the association was a call to selflessness and godliness.

The national president of the association, Group Captain John Ebiye (rtd), said the significance of the event was rooted in manner of birth of Jesus. He said members must engage in activities that would promote happiness and peace among people of all faiths.

The president of the Lagos council, Cyprian Arinze, said the association was dedicated to the teachings and values of Jesus Christ. He advised the new members to emulate the teachings and propagate Christ’s message of love among people.