Says we have not made the best of the situation that we find ourselves
As Pastor Adeboye urge Nigerians to praise God in spite of nation’s challenges
The 15th Annual Thanksgiving Service of the Lagos State Government for 2013 was held Sunday at the open grounds of the Lagos House, Ikeja, with the State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) advocating an introspective reassessment of choices and values by all with a determination to embrace hard work and right choices that could help in solving the nation’s problems.
Governor Fashola, who in his welcome address illustrated his call for value change the forthcoming General Elections, Poverty and Unemployment, said all the resources required to overcome the challenges were present in the country adding that what is lacking is the will to appropriate them.
Beginning with the General Elections, the Governor, who noted that Nigerians often approach election years with much fear and anxiety said there would be no need for fear and uncertainty if all resolved to work hard to achieve the type of election that the nation wants instead of the one that everyone pray for.
He recalled that before the 2007 General Elections and that of 2011, there was much fear and anxiety among Nigerians pointing out that not only that all went well in 2007 that of 2011, which was his re-election year, “was a carnival of fun, a confident confrontation with the electorate and a family fiesta”.
The Governor expressed dismay that while elections are moments to savour, and make informed decisions and choices about the way forward in most parts of the world, Nigerians seem to have contrived to deny themselves “of the pleasure and fun that elections should bring”.
“The question then to ask is why can this not be the case every time and everywhere? Why should we be moving soldiers and policemen in large numbers just because we are going to vote? Why should we be scared and very prayerful every election year?”, the Governor asked.
Quoting from the Book of Saint James Chapter 2, to emphasize the need for hard work in addition to prayers, he declared, “Let me say categorically that while we should pray, we must also do a lot of work to change the type of elections that we have into the type of elections that we want. That work is not government work. It is work that you and I will do”.
Governor Fashola, who acknowledged that there is widespread poverty in the country, however, insisted that there is so much waste among the people pointing out that the situation belies the loud cries and complaints of poverty by the same people.
“I have chosen to speak about it because while I agree that there is widespread poverty, I think that there is a lot of waste; it is waste of such gravity that on its own, deepens poverty, and also makes it difficult to locate or assess the extent of poverty.
It is waste of a degree that, if we curtailed it, will provide enough in savings to fight and reduce poverty”, he said.
Beginning from the people’s penchant for parties and the wasteful indulgences that go with them, the Governor drew attention to the dresses and head-ties specially made for such parties as well as the expenditures for which celebrants often go to borrow in order to satisfy or show off and asked whether it would not have been better to do such things in moderation so as to meet the real needs of the people concerned.
“How many Aso-ebi do you buy in a year? How much do you use to sew them? How many shades of head-ties and shoes do you buy in a year?”, the Governor asked pointing out that when put together, the amount would have been better used to offset the pending school fees of the children of the celebrant.
He also spoke of the extravagant use of mobile phones and the amount of money wasted in sending non-essential text messages and making calls adding that when calculated, the amount spent by such people could provide enough food on the table for them and their families.
On unemployment, Governor Fashola, who also acknowledged that many young Nigerians are in need of work and that the nation does not have enough basic infrastructure such as power to stimulate productivity and jobs, however, said the people have not made the best of the situation at hand.
“How many of us have gone abroad to celebrate birthdays and weddings?
Which airlines did we board? Are they Nigerian owned? Do they employ Nigerians?
Was it Nigerians that made the food, supplies and drinks and those things that we used at those overseas parties? Have you bothered to question the number of Nigerian caterers, musicians, transporters and other support streams whose jobs we took abroad and gave away?”, he asked pointing out that such choices are inconsistent with a people with whom unemployment is a major problem.
Thanking all the invitees and wishing all a prosperous New Year, Governor Fashola gave reasons for choosing to speak on the three problems saying, “I make this appeal because I am concerned, as many of you are, about our country, and if we were to look for direction and solutions to the challenges that we have to overcome, I doubt that we would look too far further afield than amongst you eminent Nigerians who gather here today”.
He continued, “I also think that this is a most opportune time, because it is the season when some of us make New Year resolutions and I anticipate that it is possible to persuade some of you to make resolutions or add to those you have already made as they relate to what I wish to share with you”.
Insisting that there is nothing wrong with Nigeria, Governor Fashola declared, “Its size has not reduced except for the loss of Bakassi, its resources have not diminished either in quantity or value, indeed its human resource has grown to an estimated 170 Million people and its major trade commodity, which is crude oil, has been trading at over $100 per barrel” adding, “The honest question I think we should ask ourselves is whether we are the problem. Why do we have so much want amidst so much plenty?”
He urged all Nigerians to renew their belief on Nigeria as their country and change their choices and values adding, “If we BELIEVE AGAIN, are we ready to do the hard work and make the right choices? Nigeria is waiting upon all of us to fulfil her promise. Are we ready to make the sacrifice? God bless you all as you ponder these questions”.
In his exhortations later, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of Good (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye called on Nigerians to give praises and thanks to God for His mercies upon the country even in the face of the challenges the country is currently facing pointing out that such praises of gratitude would provoke more blessing from God.
Quoting copiously from the Holy Bible, Pastor Adeboye, who took his exhortation from the Book of Psalms Chapter 47:1, said God has commanded all peoples, both those who have won victory, those who have suffered defeat and those who are in the thick of battle, to clap their hands and raise their voices in praise to Him.
According to him, for those who have won victory, they should praise God in gratitude, for those who have suffered defeat, they should praise God that they did not die in the battle and they are alive to fight on and for those in the thick of battle, that God should intervene on their behalf and grant them victory.
“I believe God is simply saying here that no matter what is happening, you should praise Him because all things work together for the good of those who love Him. We have cause to be concerned about what is happening in Nigeria but God has commanded us all to lift up our voices in praise of Him”, the General Overseer said.
Highlights of this year’s Thanksgiving Service include the five Bible lessons; the first from the Book of Psalms Chapter 85: 1-3, read by the First Lady, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola, the second also from Psalm 26: 1-12 and read by the Deputy Governor, Hon (Mrs.) a Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the third reading taken from 1 John 2: 15-17 and read by wife of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Pastor (Mrs.) Mayowa Ikufuriji, fourth lesson from the Book of Ecclesiastes 3:14-17 and read by the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Ayotunde Phillips and the fifth lesson taken from Philippians 4:5-9 read by the Chairman, Amuwo Odofin LGA, Hon. Omoyele Sulaimon.
The various choirs that rendered song at intervals include Christ the Light Chapel Choir, Alausa, City of David Choir, The Boys for Jesus, Okuku Jesu, CPM Choir and Day Star Choir while Bishop Okonkwo of TREM, Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Most Reverend Chukwuemeka Uche, offered Special Prayers for Governor Fashola and his family and for the Lagos State Executive, Legislative and Judicial arms of Government respectively.
Leader of Cherubim and Seraphim of Nigeria, Prophet G.O Fakeye, Dean Emeritus of the Ecclesiastes Province of Lagos, Most Rev. E.A. Ademowo, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos Province, Archbishop Adewale Martins, Presiding Pastor, Guiding Light Assembly, Pastor Wale Adefarasin and National President, Apostolic Church of Nigeria, Pastor G.O. Olutola, offered Special Prayers for Lagos Civil, Teaching, Local Government Legislative Services, Security Services in Lagos State and Nigeria, Peace and harmony among the people in Lagos and Nigeria, Children and Youth of Nigeria and the economic prosperity of Lagos State and Nigeria respectively.
Also present at the occasion which was ended with brief but impressive fireworks, were members of the State Executive Council including, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Pastor Ben Akabueze and his Culture and Tourism counterpart, Hon Oyinlomo Danmole, former Governors of the State, Brig. Gen. Mobolaji Johnson, Alhaji Lateef Jakande and his wife, and Navy Commodore Ndubuisi Kanu, Member of the House of Representatives representing Ikorodu, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, former Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly and Member of the Senate, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, eminent clerics from different denominations, traditional rulers and some Muslim Faithful as well as other prominent Nigerians from all walks of life.
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