Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, His Grace, Most Rev Alfred Adewale Martins, has unveiled Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins Youth Development Empowerment Foundation and presented two books to celebrate his 60th birthday.
The books- The grace to live: Selected homilies of Most Rev Alfred Adewale Martins and The voice of a shepherd: Selected messages of Most Rev Alfred Adewale Martins- were presented at City Hall on Catholic Mission Street, Lagos last week.
The cleric said the foundation is to provide support, skill acquisition, apprenticeship, mentorship and resources to young people, while also assisting government.
He noted with the foundation, youths will be empowered and become responsible.
“Young people are crucial in this country, government’s effort cannot do it all, and hence the needs for private efforts like this to get the young people have a better life,” he stressed.
He urged Nigerians to pray for leaders so that they will do what is good and fair for the common good.
“We need to encourage our leaders to do something much more than has been done before. The issue of insecurity in terms of killings and kidnapping, among other areas should be enhanced,” he said.
President Bishop Conference of Nigeria, Rev Obiora Akubueze, while describing Most Rev Martins as a spiritual, humble, simple, gentle, kind, considerate and compassionate priest, said he is a great intellectual and philosopher who enriches with great insights to solve problems and sets a high standard for others to follow after him.
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“He has strong policies that brought about respect for liturgical norms, accountability and transparency on financial reporting.
“He is a leader that listens to collaborators and helps others to take their proper place in the mission of evangelisation.
“He is a shepherd for the flocks, he gives quality leadership, speaks for the poor and he is a lover of the church,” he stressed.
He urged him to continue to speak the truth, saying many are awaiting more from him.
He said government must be more responsive and respectful to the rights of the citizens.
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“Government at both state and federal level must know that many Nigerians are not happy with the current situation.
“The income difference between the poor and the rich is increasing daily, the poverty rate is going higher, the youths graduating from university have no jobs, the level of insecurity in the country is worrisome.
“The leaders must know that this tenure is not a free ticket to continue in the part that leaders to destruction.
“It is not a license to continue to breed hopelessness and make Nigerians feel helpless and it is not a license to allow some persons to fuel religious crisis.
“What we want is a government that serves the entire citizens irrespective of religious or ethnic affiliations, a government that creates an enabling environment for her citizens to thrive and a government that allows Nigeria to develop,” he said.
Former Archbishop of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, described the celebrator as a willing servant of God and humanity.
He said the church must be in unity and harmony among other ethnic community or religious affiliations, adding that it should take a stand against corruption, tribalism, violence and many others vices witnessed daily in the country.
Sir Steve Omojafor, described Most Rev Martins as God- sent to many.
“He creates time for everybody, he listens to all attentively and you can be sure that when you leave his office, your problem will be solved.
“He is always in a good mood, he is a good friend and it is a great pleasure to have him in our Diocese,” he said.
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