Archbishop Martins Ordains Clergy, Urges Civic Engagement

On Thursday, during an ordination mass at the Catholic Church of the Ascension in Ikeja, Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, ordained 20 new clergy, comprising six deacons to the priesthood and 14 seminarians to the diaconate. He emphasized the importance of civic engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging Nigerians not to surrender their voting power to politicians.

Martins described the newly ordained clergy as “laborers sent into the harvest” during a time of global instability and local challenges, including poverty and insecurity in Nigeria. He noted the alarming rise in kidnapping and banditry, which has made roads unsafe and affected agricultural productivity.

The Archbishop warned against political apathy and vote-buying, criticizing politicians for making “ridiculous” promises and highlighting the need for citizens to remain hopeful and active in the electoral process despite past disappointments.