Lagos State Govt Pays Condolence Visit To Catholic Church

The Honourable Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, yesterday led a State delegation consisting of religious leaders from both the Christian and Muslim communities to pay a condolence visit to the Archbishop of the Catholic Mission in Lagos over the recent massacre of worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.

Delivering remarks during the visit to His Eminence, the Most Reverend Adewale Martins of the Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, the Commissioner expressed the State government and, indeed, the Muslim Community’s sympathy to the entire Christian body, especially the Catholic Mission in Lagos State, over the loss of lives to the gruesomeness of some unscrupulous criminals.

Elegushi opined that the unfortunate incident left much to be desired but advised that vengeance should be left to God while praying that the Almighty will comfort the families of the departed whose lives were cut short during worship service.

He assured that the State Government, on its part, will continue to work with the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) for continued religious peace and harmony, adding that security of lives and property will remain on the top agenda of the Babjide Olusola Sanwo-Olu administration.

In his remarks, the Grand Chief Imam of Lagos, His Eminence Sheikh (Engr.) Sulaiman Oluwatoyin Abou-Nolla, condemned the dastardly act but prayed that such an incident will never happen again.

In the same vein, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos Chapter, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, described the gruesome massacre as a rude shock while hoping that the perpetrators are brought to face the full wrath of the law.

Responding, the Archbishop of the Catholic Church in Lagos State, Most Reverend Adewale Martins, thanked the delegation for their thoughtfulness and support in commiserating with the Catholic Family in Lagos State.

He described the Owo killing as a desecration of a worship place, noting that the Nigerian government needs to step up its security antenna as the protection of the lives of all Nigerians is sacrosanct.

While insisting that the causal factor of the attack has to be investigated, identified and tackled, the Archbishop promised to convey the condolence message of the Lagos State Government to his counterpart in Ondo State.

In a similar development, the Honourable Commissioner also paid a visit to the Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr. Chukwuemeka Kanu-Uche, who was recently kidnapped and released.

Prince Elegushi expressed gratitude to God for saving and sparing the life of the Clergyman and others abducted with him, emphasising that the NIREC, Lagos State Chapter, is basking in the euphoria of his safe release from the hands of unscrupulous elements.

The Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr. Chukwuemeka Kanu-Uche expressed gratitude to the State Government for the show of concern while eulogising the Sanwo-Olu administration for including the Religious Leaders in governance and government policies to move the State forward.

The Prelate charged the government to be serious with security matters while advocating for community policing in Nigeria.

Part of the delegation that accompanied the Honourable Commissioner on the two visits included the Special Advisers to the Governor on both Christian and Muslim Religions, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr. Sewedo Oluseyi Whenu, Chief Imams from the five divisional blocs and other members of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council in Lagos State, among others.