The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins has called on members of the National Association of Catholic Lawyers, NACL, in Lagos Archdiocese to design and embark on programmes that will provide assistance and succour to indigent parishioners in the Archdiocese.
The lawyers should also support one another in the effort to ensure that they all achieve their set goals and spiritual upliftment.
Archbishop Martins made the call recently when the newly inaugurated executive of NACL Lagos paid him a courtesy visit.
He said the lawyers should strive to attain holiness of life and make Heaven their supreme goal at the end of their sojourn on earth. The Archbishop commended immediate past NACL president and his team for their service and for successfully completing their term and also congratulated the newly inaugurated executive, assuring them of his continued support and encouraging them to continue the good work and wishing them a fruitful tenure.
The newly-elected President of the Association, Barr. Florence Atuluku, requested for support from Archbishop Martins in the pursuit of their goals and said that members of the Association were willing and available to serve the Archdiocese in any capacity where their services maybe needed.
She highlighted some of her vision for the association which includes:
- Rendering assistance to awaiting trial inmates who cannot afford the services of a lawyer,
- Assisting indigent parishioners with legal issues, and
- The inauguration of the Association in more Parishes across the Archdiocese.
The immediate past President of the Association, Mr. Philip Njeteneh, thanked the Archbishop for his continued support and for always being available particularly for, “Lawyers Day With The Archbishop” and the traditional, “New Legal Year Mass”.
Apart from Barristers Atuluku and Njeteneh, other on the courtesy visit were Marian Jones, (Vice President); Odidika Esezobor (General Secretary); Nnajiofor Nkechi Angela (Treasurer); Waive Almond (Publicity Secretary/PRO); Iyanda Olufunmilayo (Welfare Officer); Linus Idu (Former President); and Dennis Ezika (Former Secretary).
The new NACL Lagos President Florence Atuluku is a Partner at Aliant Qais Conrad Laureate, Nigeria member office of Aliant ®. Aliant® is an international law firm providing a comprehensive range of legal services to businesses.
She is of St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, Lagos, and until her election as NACL Lagos President, was the Vice Chairperson of St. Agnes Catholic Church NACL and was a Co-opted member of NACL Lagos 2018/2022 Exco.
The National Association of Catholic Lawyers is the umbrella body for Catholic Lawyers in both public and private practice in different Archdioceses Dioceses in the country. The Association was established by the Catholic Bishops Conference in Nigeria for all Catholic Lawyers.
The Association’s intervention includes pro bono legal services to prison inmates and the indigent, free legal services to Parishioners and members of the public. Its professional development seminars equip members and non-members of the legal profession with updated skills to enable them add value to the society.
NACL exists in over 20 Archdioceses and Dioceses in the Nigeria, rendering professional and humanitarian services to both the Church and the public at large.
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