As part of his determination to continue to cushion the pang of hunger among Nigerians in this lockdown period, the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev Alfred Adewale Martins has ordered the distribution of another round of palliatives to parishes in the Archdiocese.

The palliatives consisting of four thousand, two hundred and twenty five bags of foodstuffs (4225) were recently handed over to the Deans of the 15 deaneries that make up the Archdiocese of Lagos.

At the formal handover of the palliatives held recently at St Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, the Archbishop who was represented at the brief ceremony by the Chancellor of the Archdiocese, Msgr Anthony Obanla, said the measure was part of the commitment of the Church to ensure that it provides some form of succour to God’s people during this period of the lockdown.

While making the presentations, Msgr Obanla explained, “The Archbishop has directed that these bags of foodstuffs should be distributed to the most vulnerable in all the over 184 parishes in the Archdiocese through the Deans. If you could recall, the Archbishop, on behalf of the Archdiocese, also donated some foodstuffs to the Lagos State Government to help alleviate the sufferings of Lagosians. This, once again, shows that the Church is very committed to ensure the welfare of the people.”
According to him, though the Archbishop was aware that many parishes in the Archdiocese have since the lockdown commenced distribution of food palliatives to the people, he had, as the father of all, approved the distribution of the additional palliatives to consolidate on the gains so far achieved.

Msgr Obanla urged the people of God to also pray for the generous donors of the palliatives, noting that the Church was merely a means through which God reaches out to His children.

On hand to receive the palliatives on behalf of the other deans of the Archdiocese were, Very Rev Fr Patrick Obayomi, Dean of Ikeja; Very Rev Fr Anthony Fadairo, Dean of Maryland and Very Rev Fr Michael Okonkwo, Dean of Yaba deanery.

Also present at the ceremony were, Rev Fr Anthony Godonu, Director of Social Communications, Rev Fr Vitalis Ezeigwe, Secretary to the Archbishop and Rev Fr. Emmanuel Emiri, Associate Priest of St Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland.