x

Catholic Archdiocese Condemns Use Of Ethnic, Religious Sentiments To Derail Protest

The Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos has condemned the hijacking of the peaceful protests across the country, saying that those who have brought in ethnic and religious sentiments are only aiming to derail the march to a new Nigeria.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Archbishop of Lagos, Alfred Adewale Martins, condemned the fact that the protests which started off peacefully, have degenerated into uncontrollable violence across the country.

“We have witnessed an unimaginable level of vandalism and looting of both public and private properties and business not only in the Lagos but also in many other parts of our country.

“This was a sad departure from and a wicked hijack of the peaceful protests that our young people had been embarking on.

“To make matters worse, we have seen people making social media postings trying to incite ethnic and religious sentiments in order to shift focus away from a noble cause spearheaded by the young.

“Yorubaland, in general and Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria, in particular, has been a melting pot of people from all parts of Nigeria and indeed, from all parts of the world.

“This has been a source of strength for our country and the Church. We urge all that see such video clips and similar postings to ignore them and resist the urge to circulate them. It is very significant that some State Governors as well as many eminent Nigerians and respected groups have denounced such divisive messages,” the statement read in part.

The archbishop, therefore, called on the young people to not to allow the use of the same “old tactics of political entrepreneurs” to cause division among them and make them lose focus.

He urged them to be wise in their discernment of messages that employ ethnicity or religion in a way that excludes rather than bind people together.

According to the archbishop, the consequences of allowing such narratives to fly are too grave and the price to pay are too high and it is in the best interest of everyone to embrace harmony and peaceful co-existence so that all may live peaceably and comfortably wherever they choose to live in the country.

Hot this week

Kano Assembly Receives Two Commissioner Nominees from Gov. Yusuf

By Jabiru HassanThe Kano State House of Assembly has...

Kogi Govt to Enforce Ban on Trailer Parks Over Security Concerns

By Noah Ocheni, LokojaThe Kogi State Government has announced...

Nigeria @65: FCTA Distributes Baby Kits, Gas Cookers to Pregnant Women in Abuja

By Joyce Remi-BabayejuTo mark Nigeria's 65th Independence Day Anniversary,...

Nigeria @ 65: Wike Assures Abuja Residents of First Class Infrastructure

By Joyce Remi-BabayejuAs Nigeria marks 69 , the FCT...

Bayelsa Media Awards Gets Major Boost as Gov. Diri Endows Fourth Category

By Amgbare Ekaunkumo, YenagoaBayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri,...

UIO Urges FG to Enforce Safety Standards in Inland Waterways Transportation

By Noah Ocheni, LokojaThe Ukomu Igala Organisation (UIO) has...

Coalition Praises Tinubu’s Reforms, Hails Tunji-Ojo’s Role in National Transformation

By Israel Adamu, JosA coalition of civil rights organizations...

Tinubu Approves 100Km Stretch of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Through Edo State

Umahi praises Gov. Okpebholo, contractor CBC for infrastructure effortsBy...

North Central Development Commission Pledges Transparency in ₦140bn Budget as NASS Reviews Estimates

By Israel Adamu, JosThe North Central Development Commission (NCDC)...

Zulum Approves Hospital, Water Facilities, Security Measures for Violence-Hit Kirawa Community

By Achadu Gabriel, KadunaBorno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara...

Senator Lalong Chairs UNIJOS Alumni Lecture, Calls for Safeguards in Justice Delivery in Digital Age

Senator Simon Bako Lalong, representing Plateau South Senatorial District...

Amnesty International Urges FG to Cut Political Spending, Prioritize Economic Diversification

By Noah Ocheni, LokojaAmnesty International has called on the...

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img