Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on
Saturday enjoined Christians to continue to make conscious efforts to sustain
the peaceful atmosphere across the country, urging them to also refrain from
acts capable of breeding division and igniting avoidable crisis.
The Governor, who spoke at the 2017
Inter-Denominational Divine Service organised by the Christian Association of
Nigeria (CAN) at the Shepherdhill Baptist Church, Obanikoro, Lagos, said he was
absolutely convinced that the success stories his administration has recorded
so far were made possible by the collective prayers of all Lagosians and more
importantly the relatively peaceful atmosphere that has prevailed within the
State over time.
“Every situation whether good or bad requires
prayers. For us in Lagos State, we have been truly blessed. Indeed, we have
enjoyed His grace which has enabled us as a State, to experience unprecedented
breakthroughs inspite of economic recession. For instance, a lot of investments
and new businesses have come into our State in the last twenty-one (21) months
and there are many more in the process,” Governor said.
He therefore urged Christians to lead from the
front and continue to pray for not just the progress of the State but the
nation at large, just as he assured that his government will continue to promote
fairness, justice and everything that will make life more comfortable for
Lagosians.
“At this critical period in the history of our
nation, the church and indeed everyone who believes in the efficacy of prayer
have a responsibility and patriotic duty to pray for the wellbeing and progress
of our State and nation. Prayer is the master key and there is no challenge
that cannot be surmounted with prayers.
“We remain committed to the goal of making the
Lagos work for all; making all our communities economically viable and liveable
as well as creating opportunities for everyone to actualise his/her potentials,
without discrimination on the basis of ethnic affiliation, religious beliefs or
socio- economic circumstances. By His grace, Lagos State will continue to
prosper and our nation will rise again and become a pride to the entire black
race and humanity,” Governor Ambode said.
The Governor, who also expressed his delight to be
part of the service, commended the Chairman, Executives and entire membership
of CAN in Lagos, for sustaining the initiative which has become a yearly event
that brings Christians from different denomination to worship and pray
together.
Earlier, Chairman of CAN, Lagos State Branch,
Apostle Alexander Bamgbola thanked Governor Ambode for finding time to grace
the occasion, noting that it was the first time in the history of the
service that a Governor of Lagos State of the Christian faith would be
attending the programme personally.
Bamgbola also lauded the Governor for the several
laudable projects he had initiated since he assumed office, saying that
Lagosians were greatly feeling the impact across the State.
“We wish to let you know here today that we are
proud of the wonderful and excellent work that the Lord is using you t do in
our dear state of Lagos. In less than two years, God has used you to do great
work that every well-meaning Lagosian is commending daily. It is self-evident
that truly: ‘Itesiwaju Eko lo jewa l’ogun”, the CAN boss said.
Corroborating him, Rev. Sunday Matilukuro who gave
the sermon, said he was particularly amazed on how Governor Ambode was able to
surmount the early challenges his administration faced to deliver life changing
projects across the State.
“When I was in my former station, we were reading
about the traffic jam all over Lagos and I was wondering what was happening,
but when I came on visit to Lagos, I was wondering what the noise was all about
because what I was seeing was different. You are gradually transforming Lagos
to the megacity that it is,” Matilukuro said.
Speaking on the theme, ‘Grace in Recession’, the
cleric urged Christians to seek the face of God and shun sin if they must rise
above recession to succeed.
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