In a media briefing last week in Nigeria, Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins of Lagos
spoke about the importance of the press and about the security situation in his country.
It was the first media briefing since Archbishop Martins’ appointment to the
nation’s largest see. In his remarks, the Archbishop expressed his appreciation of
the support of the press for the Catholic Church in Nigeria. He said “the role of
the media as agents of change cannot be over-emphasized,” and noted that as “disseminators
of information” journalists had a special vocation. Archbishop Martins’ said he was
“shocked” at the news of the attack on a Nigerian journalist, and called on members
of the media “to explore all legitimate means to safeguard the lives and welfare of
your members at all times.”
The Archbishop continued by addressing the state
of the nation. “One of the major challenges facing us today is that of insecurity
owing to the incessant bombing of innocent citizens by the Boko Haram sect,” he said.
He said Boko Haram’s actions, even during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, “raises
much doubt about their frequent claims to be Muslims fighting the cause of the Islamic
religion.” Archbishop Martins said, “It is very obvious therefore that those perpetuating
these acts of terrorism on fellow Nigerians, are not true Muslims but terrorists bent
on destabilizing our country Nigeria.”
Archbishop Martins concluded by calling
on all Nigerians to pray to God for a lasting peace.