…As Lagos Archbishop Commissions New Catechists During 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope Celebration
The Catholic Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins, has urged Nigerian leaders to focus on effective governance and the welfare of citizens rather than being consumed by endless political alignments and power struggles.
He made the call while commissioning new catechists from various parishes across Lagos into the Lagos Archdiocesan Guild of Catechists (LAGC) during the 2025 Catechist Day/Jubilee Year of Hope Celebration, held recently at St. Dominic Catholic Church, Yaba, Lagos.
Archbishop Martins lamented that many politicians have placed political interests above national service, a trend he said continues to stall development and good governance in the country.
> “Politicians are aligning and realigning, decamping and recamping, and all of that,” he noted. “It’s really putting governance in a bad state in the whole scheme of things. Our appeal is that politicians should recognise that they were voted first of all to ensure that life is better for the people. You are voted to ensure that the economy and the social environment are good for the well-being of Nigerians.”
While acknowledging the right of politicians to campaign, he stressed that such activities must not distract them from their primary duty of creating an enabling environment for citizens to thrive.
In his homily themed “Do Not Lose Heart; Awakening Pilgrims of Hope,” Archbishop Martins also charged the newly commissioned catechists to remain steadfast in leading others to faith through sound teaching and spiritual guidance.
“You are called to lead people to the knowledge of God and the teachings of the Church, so that they can, in turn, have faith in God and the Church,” he said. “Some of you have completed your formation and education; today you are being commissioned to carry out this noble vocation of teaching the faith.”
The Archbishop further encouraged all faithful to cultivate a spirit of gratitude and thanksgiving, recognising the grace of being called to serve God in various capacities within the Church.
The colourful celebration featured thanksgiving, renewal of commitment by existing catechists,
and the commissioning of new