As Nigeria celebrates its 64th Independence Anniversary, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; the State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba, and others have enjoined Nigerians to be hopeful in the country for a better tomorrow.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and others made the call on Friday at a Special Jumaat service, which took place at the Lagos State Secretariat Community Central Mosque, Alausa, Ikeja, to commemorate the 64th National Independence Day Celebration.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, stated that as a nation, the people should be hopeful as plans and actions were being put in place by the government to ensure that the nation overcomes the present challenges it was currently facing.
“As a people, we cannot be hopeless. We must be hopeful because at least there is a plan. We can all argue about the plan, but there is a plan and the plan is to sustain the economic stability of the country.
“As a matter of fact, we must sustain our reserves because we are a nation that imports a lot. We are a nation that is building. We are building infrastructure, building schools, building hospitals, and so on. So, we must sustain our economic stability. There is a plan. If we don’t have a plan, then there is a problem,” the governor said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed his optimism of a better Nigeria based on an ongoing workable plan, stressing that as long as there were plans and visions, everything would be fine for the country and her citizens based on a continuous plan to sustain its economic stability and enhance the well-being of the citizens.
The governor charged Nigerians to always look at facts in their public discourse and commentaries, stating that these had adverse effects on nation-building and development, even as he noted that records had shown that “Nigerians succeed all over the world.”
Speaking further, Governor Sanwo-Olu bemoaned that many Nigerians had lost the cherished value of communal living, noting sadly that everyone had westernized their way of living, a development which he said had led to the breakdown of family values.
The governor, however, charged parents to take parenting seriously, positing that sad development had led to lack of values in the society.
He equally charged the clerics to help fix the broken family units in the country, through regular sermons which should emphasize how to fix the family unit, saying that the clerics should support the government as, according to him, people listen to them more.
In his Goodwill message, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba, equally urged Nigerians to exercise patience, noting that “Allah has blessed the country with a good God-fearing president with many good intentions.”
“The present situation is like a debilitated building, which requires major rehabilitation, as such, Nigerians need to exercise patience,” he said.
He, however, admonished Nigerians to be thankful for what the country had passed through, saying that they had every reason to be hopeful as some countries had not experienced such before breaking up.
The Chief Imam, Dr. Issa Abdul-Mujeeb, in his sermon, Chief Imam, emphasized the need for the people to reform their mindsets and continually pray for the country to make it better, just as the country’s founding fathers did when fighting for independence.
According to him, their efforts resulted in a nearly perfect nation, saying Nigerians should embark on same and hope for a similar transformation in the country.
This was just as the Muslim cleric cautioned against persistent negativity and criticism towards Nigeria, warning that such may doom future generations to an even more challenging existence.
Abdul-Mujeeb, while sounding the warning, drew inspiration from Saudi Arabia’s transformation, noting that once plagued by poverty and high crime rates, the country’s fortunes changed through the prayers and visionary leadership of its forefathers, including Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham).
In his Admonition, Imam Dr. Sahid Ahmad urged the people to ensure that they do the right things, by being patient, and steadfast in their faith and must not be waivers of faith in Allah, saying that these were the only means through which Allah can help change the situation.
He stressed that at 64, Nigerians must keep the faith, work righteousness, and not lose hope as well be righteous, to ensure that everything returns to normal.
He added that it was when this is done that Allah would fulfill His promise of making the things that the people were scared of become easy.
Dr. Ahmad cited from the Holy Quran, saying “If the people keep their faith and follow the right path and remain steadfast, then all that they experience and perceive as difficulty will change, I will replace their hardship and fear with tranquility and peace.”
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