Lagos – The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Dr Alfred Adewale-Martins, on Tuesday urged the faithful to remain steadfast in the midst of the current economic and social challenges in the country.

The Bishop spoke during his maiden visit to the faithful in Saints Joachim and Anne Catholic Church, Ijegun, as part of his tour of 15 parishes in Isolo deanery, Lagos Archdiocese.

“If there were no challenges, there would not have been any room for development in the society. Challenges make us grow; they strengthen our zeal.

“To achieve greatness, there must be test and trials, but we must not allow it to affect our attitude; we must not give up,” he said.

Adewale-Martins urged the faithful not to compromise their faith, but to hold on to God, trusting that there would be solution to the challenges.

“In the face of these challenges, we must not give up our faith, but remain strong and avoid putting our hands into negative deals that would not please God,” he said.

He urged every family and institution to promote patience, tolerance and peace, for a successful change agenda.

Adewale-Martins appealed to parents to teach their children by example the values of good virtues, and warn them of the dangers of going into gangsterism and other vices.

According to him, bringing children up in the way of God will help to reduce crime in the society.