• Lagos Catholic Bishop, Martins, urges Nigerians to join Ooni, Kano Emir, in preaching peace, unity
By Lukman Olabiyi
The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, recently urged Nigerians to join force with Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi and Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, in spreading the gospel of peace, unity, love and tolerance in the country.
• Ooni (2nd right), Erelu (left), Ado Bayero (right) and a guest
He made the plea at a two-in-one event, inauguration of E.Y.O Cultural Renaissance Centre and Christmas Carol organised by the Erelu Yeye Oodua Foundation. The two monarchs were the grand royal fathers for event held in Lagos on Sunday night.
The cleric said Nigerians should embrace hope and show love as Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. He commended Erelu Kuti IV of Lagos, Abiola Dosunmu, for her various initiatives to foster peace and unity among Nigerians, expressing optimism that the situation in the country would improve.
He asked Nigerians to carry and preach the message of hope like Jesus Christ, stating that the power of hope resonates with Nigerians: “As we gather here today, united in celebration and joy, we are reminded of the true essence of Christmas – the birth of Jesus Christ, our eternal hope.
“Our gathering this evening is significant and we are truly grateful that we have been provided the opportunity seeing the realisation or an indication of what Christ desires for coming to the world and another reason to say thanks be to God for being part of the celebration.
“Christ came in order to restore hope, to re-establish love, love of God and love of people and to establish peace in the world. Thanks be to God for gift of Jesus.
Thanks be to God for the message of hope, peace, love for occasions like this where eminent people of diverse faiths seat together.
“As we prepare for the birth of Jesus, I enjoin you our eminent people seated to continue to preach the gospel of hope, love, unity and peace in the country.”
Dosumu who is also the Erelu Yeye Oodua, said: “Oodua Cultural Renaissance Centre will be a training ground for languages, promotion of local cuisine, art and in the long run will build talents and the economy.”
She charged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of love and tolerance, which were some of the virtues of Jesus Christ and to continue to live in peace and harmony as they celebrate the remembrance of the birth of Christ.