Lagos Catholic Archbishop Martins Celebrates Christmas With Ikoyi Inmates,Donates Gifts.

Emmanuel Clement 

The Lagos Catholic Archbishop, Most Rev Alfred Adewale Martins, has celebrated Christmas with inmates of five custodial correctional centres in Ikoyi,Lagos State, donating gift items to enable them to enjoy the Yuletide.

The yearly outreach,organised by the Catholic Church and held at the Ikoyi Custodial Correctional Centre,featured a Mass and the administration of the sacrament of confirmation to 25 inmates by the Archbishop.

During the visit, inmates received bags of rice,confectioneries, toiletries,clothes, disinfectants, beverages,cash and educational materials to support their rehabilitation and reintegration.

 

Investigator news reports that, the materials given to the inmates where donations from the Prison Aposlate of the Church, the Association of Catholic Lawyers, the Christian Woman Organisation (CWO) among others.

Speaking at the event attended by the management of the custodian centres,Most Rev Martins said that, the Church brought the joy of the Christmas for the inmates to be part of the celebration.

The Archbishop who described Christmas as a time of peace and blessings to the world, said that, the joy the Church and the organisers of the event brought to the place was one that only the Lord can offer.

“Those of us that received the sacrament of confirmation, you have received a seal of fire of the Holy Spirit to be a bearer of the good news everywhere you are.

“Don’t allow your present condition to determine the way you live and do things but live above your situation and see the impactful work of God in your life.

“Look beyond the troubles of the world to see the level of ascendance the Lord is taking you from here,” he said.

Archbishop Martins who prayed for the inmates, said that the inmates like other vulnerable in society needed the assistant of the society to be a better person.

Speaking with newsmen,) the President, National Association of Catholic Lawyers, (NACL) Mrs Florence Atuluku, stated that the association through its legal services, had secured the release of no fewer than 150 inmates probonuo in 2025.

According to her,the lawyer association with focus on human dignity and freedom do not only offer humanitarian works in terms of offering material gifts but also deploy their legal services to aid the people regain freedom free of charge.

Atuluku described the visit as an effort to re-engineer redeeming values that would aid inmates’ reform,stressing that since these individuals are part of society,it is ideal for good-spirited individuals and organisations to support government cost.

“Through our professional services, we review records to identify those who have stayed long periods without trial and bring their cases to the fore with a view to securing better conditions,”she said.

“In my interactions with inmates, I am struck by the tragedy of wasted human potential. Their voices echo regret, pain and longing for a second chance,” she added.

She pledged on behalf of the association that, the team would intensify in 2026 to decongest the facilities especially for those whose cases were minor.

Lending his voice,Barr. Aghaonu Christopher stated that the inmates deserve that honor of celebrating the yelutide.

Bar Aghaonu urge the inmates to draw inspiration from Christ emphasizing hope and positive change.He called on Christians and indeed all Nigerians to endeavor to extend the hands of love and true brotherliness to those in need.

According to him,the Catholic Lawyers Association is doing everything within it’s reach to ensure that those who are suffering injustice will be free this year 2026.

Also speaking,the President Lagos Archdiocesan Correctional Apostolic Lagos,Mr Innocent Okafor thanked the Archbishop Martins who has taken upon himself together with the prison apostolate of the Catholic church to celebrate with the prison inmates every year.

He opined that Christmas is a season of love, therefore the prison inmates deserves that love, while appealing to God fearing individuals to always support the inmates.

Archbishop Martins while answering questions from newsmen commended the international community for collaborating with the Federal government in order to deal with the insecurity issues in Nigeria particularly with the banditary and Boko Haram.

He prayed for an end to insecurity in Nigeria, urging the government to partner more with other countries in such a way that the country would retain its sovereignty.

Highlight of the event was the confirmation of 25 inmates who received the blessed sacrament for the first time.

Presentation of food items,confectioneries, toiletries,clothes, disinfectants, beverages,cash and educational materials were given to the inmates as they were urge to follow the footsteps of Christ.