His Grace, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins was elevated the Catholic Archbishop of Metropolitan Lagos by His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI on July 5th, 2012 after 14 years of service as Bishop of Abeokuta Diocese. He replaced His Eminence, Anthony Cardinal Okogie, who resigned on attainment of the age of 75.
As part of events to mark the 4th year of his ordination as Archbishop, Most Rev. Martins recently held a press conference on the state-of-the-nation during which he, among other things, lent his support to recent calls for the restructuring of the country to reflect a true federal system of government.
In this interview with NETA NWOSU, the Abeokuta, Ogun State-born cleric reiterated this position, while proffering solutions for other challenges facing the nation.
What are some of the challenges you had faced in the past four years?
The past four years, I must say, have been quite challenging even as it has been interesting in many respects. In the first instance, Lagos, by virtue of its cosmopolitan nature and being home to over three million Catholics is expected to be a pacesetter in the life and practice of Catholicism not only in Nigeria but in Africa as a whole. At an occasion as this, it is only natural for one to thank the Almighty God who, out of his benevolence has bestowed on us the privilege of leading his people in these past years and for the little we have been able to accomplish. Having said this, one of the main challenges we are faced with is that of personnel required to work in the local church. We have had to look here and there in other to get priests who would accept to work in the Church and other religious institutes. Of course there is also the challenge of adequate financial resources in particular, to meet the needs of a Church such as ours. For example, buying lands sometimes could amount to buying a body of water that will eventually be turned into land and then you buy it at a very expensive rate. Virtually every day I sit in the office, we get requests from Parishes that want to buy land for their church. That is not to say that our people are not making efforts, it’s just that the demands are becoming greater, yet the resources required to take care of these semands are not growing at the same proportion.
In your recent press briefing, you threw your weight behind the call for restructuring. What would you say informed this decision?
In recent times, there have been renewed calls for restructuring of the country along the line of true federalism. I cannot but concur. The federal structure that we have practiced over the years has not been truly federal but only succeeded in making the so-called federating units to be dependent on the centre that doles out money accruing mainly from the sale of oil rather than encouraging them to develop their potentials. How long shall we allow this to continue? I believe that we have no justifiable reason to be in this state of recession that we have found ourselves in. It is very shameful that in spite all the gifts that nature has so graciously bestowed on us; we are being categorised amongst the poor countries of the world. It is most unfortunate that our universities, polytechnics and Colleges of Education churn out millions of highly skilled youths each year only for most of them to end up as Okada riders and street hawkers. Is it not shameful that over twenty states have been unable to pay their workers’ salaries for some months now? How long will this continue? This is the time to tell ourselves the gospel truth by calling a spade a spade. Let us look beyond partisan politics and do the needful by restructuring this country along the path of true federalism so that each of the federating units can develop at its own pace, unencumbered.
You also stressed the need for the government of the day to reduce the high cost of governance. Why is this necessary now?
One of the major burdens strangulating this country is the unnecessary high cost of governance. A large portion of our annual budget is being spent in paying the bloated salaries and allowances of numerous political office holders to the detriment of the long suffering workers who barely earn enough to take care of themselves and their families. We have said it over and over again that there is a dire need for a drastic reduction of the salaries and allowances of our political office holders, starting with the president, his Vice, the governors, ministers, senators, house of assembly members down to local government chairmen and counselors. They must be ready to make sacrifices to move the nation forward. The current arrangement whereby so much salaries, allowances and pensions are given to present and past political leaders at the detriment of the masses, is lopsided, unjust and not a true reflection of the porous state of our economy. I believe sincerely that the present administration owes us all, a responsibility to continue to make efforts to cut down on all its excessive expenses in line with the present realities.
What is your take on the high level of religious intolerance in the country today and what practical steps do you think Christians should take to avoid being victims?
It is an acknowledged fact that Nigeria is a secular state, that allows people of different religious inclination to worship their creator in the way and manner they deem fit without infringing on the rights and freedom of others to worship. Unfortunately, recent attacks on Christians in the North by some suspected Islamic fundamentalists leaves a sour taste in the mouth of peace loving people of this country. A situation whereby people, for no justifiable reason, attack Churches at will, chase away worshippers and destroy properties, is totally unacceptable in a country like ours that is supposed to promote religious tolerance. While we urge the Islamic leaders in the northern part of the country to caution their followers and encourage them to show more love and tolerance for their Christian brothers and sisters, we equally call on law enforcement agencies and the Federal Government to show more commitment in safeguarding the lives and properties across the country. For Christians, especially those living in the North, please be cautious, be vigilant and most importantly, be prayerful.
The country, presently is facing harsh economic realities, basically because the price of crude oil is at an all-time low. What advice would give the FG to enable her navigate this challenge?
No country that operates a mono-economic system can survive these hard times. This also applies to our country Nigeria. We thank God that the current administration has resolved to look beyond oil and explore other ways of diversifying our economy such as solid mineral exploration and agriculture. Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State in particular, deserves some commendations for taking the bull by the horn through his recent exportation of vegetables being cultivated in large quantity in his state. Other states can take a cue from this by exporting some of their major agricultural products to earn hard currencies. We had done it before and I see no reason why we cannot do so again.
In addition, I believe it is time the state governments begin to consider the possibility of creating jobs for our unemployed youths in the agriculture sector. We have fertile lands across the length and breadth of the country that can be utilised for high breed agricultural products.
There are cries from some quarters that federal appointments have been lopsided. Do you subscribe to this claim?
A look at most of the major appointments made so far by the present administration leaves much to be desired. A situation where a good number of the ‘juicy’ appointments tends to favour a particular section of the country, gives one the impression that there are no competent hands in other parts. Our constitution has already provided that appointments made by the president should have national outlook and reflect equity and fair play. Some of the agitations across the country stemmed out of the fear (real or perceived), that the present administration has not been able to carry different ethnic groups along, particularly those from the South East and South-South.
While some Nigerians are urging the FG to extend its anti-graft war to figures other than those affiliated to the opposition party-PDP and perceived enemies, and irrespective of what arms of government they belong to, some lawmakers are considering immunity for their principal officers. How would you react to this?
The National Assembly as an arm of government plays an indispensable role in passing laws that would help deepen our democracy. Given the important role of this arm of government, it is expected that those to occupy the hallowed chambers of the Senate and House of Representatives, should be men and women of impeccable character hence they are always referred to as distinguished senators and honourables. But in recent times, some of the unruly drama emanating from these hallowed chambers gives one cause for concern. The controversial trial of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki , by the Code of Conduct Tribunal, the allegation of falsification of documents against him and his deputy Senator Ike Ekweremadu and the alleged budget padding, amongst several others, have only subjected the lawmakers to even more public scrutiny. In addition to all these, the recent agitations by some of the lawmakers that the immunity clause be extended to them throughout their stay in office is taking the matter too far. For a group of people expected to exhibit high moral, ethical standards and integrity in their conducts, one wonders the rationale for their seeking for immunity. We believe such a call is unfounded and unnecessary at this point in time. Rather, they should join hands with the president and the judiciary to get the country out of the woods.
Your Grace, what steps do you think we as Nigerians can take to rebuild our great nation?
The task of rebuilding the country is one that must be tackled with all sense of responsibility and diligence. It is now obvious that our constitution must be revisited to take care of the grey areas that impede our collective progress as a nation. At this period, more than ever, our leaders must show more sincerity and commitment to bridging the gap of sectionalism, ethnicity and religious intolerance that are found across the Niger, to down to the creeks of the South-South, the middle-belt and parts of the North. We have stated this severally that this administration must, and as a matter of urgency, revisit some of the recommendations of the last sovereign conference irrespective of the identities of the conveners. There are quite a number of far-reaching recommendations there-in that can help put a lasting halt to the incessant infractions being experienced in all the sectors of our national life. We cannot continue to allow politics as it is being played to keep dividing our nation and hindering our youths from discovering and fulfilling their God-given talents.
You observed earlier that there are grey areas in the constitution that should be looked into; can you seize this opportunity to talk on some of these areas?
It is difficult for me at this point in time, to begin to identify particular grey areas. I am sure that all those who have been trained as lawyers are in a position to do so, as they have always done in some of the fora I have attended in the past like that of the Nigerian Bar Association.
Your Grace, any final word for the Church and country at large?
There is so much to say. The incessant killings by Fulani herdsmen are rife, so are the threats by the Avengers and other self-acclaimed freedom fighters. It is gladsome to note that this government is finally considering releasing Nnamdi Kanu, Henry Okah and others in order to broker peace. No sacrifice is too much for continuous peaceful existence of this country. We owe our children and generations unborn, the responsibility of building a great nation where every citizen can live in peace and given the enablement to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of the larger society. This can only happen when our leaders resolve to shun corruption in high places and do all within the law to promote justice, equity and the rule of law at all times. The Press, also has a big role to play in this respect by ensuring that the truth and nothing but the truth are reported at all times, irrespective of whose ox is gored. I pray that this comes to pass in our time.
Culled from Sun Newspaper
The post Why Nigeria needs restructuring now –Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Adewale Martins appeared first on Pearl News.
