Emmanuel Thomas
July 16, 2015 – Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode today sought the cooperation of all Nigerians urging them to rededicate themselves to the cause of a peaceful and prosperous Lagos where residents regardless of ethnic, religious or social status can prosper.
The Governor in his Eid-el-Fitri message said it is only by embracing peace, unity and fairness that Nigerians can put the country back on its leadership pedestal, urging them to embrace the tenets of love, tolerance, forgiveness and brotherhood which characterized the period of the holy month.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, the Governor said that the nation needs brotherly love and harmonious co-existence among her citizens above all other things as a means to overcome the numerous challenges threatening her fledgling democracy, especially the challenge of insecurity.
Governor Ambode added that in the last one year, everyday has been a season of countless blessings in spite of unwanted developments such as the physical, psychological and structural violence on our Nation.
While condemning the wave of violence being perpetuated by the mindless Boko Haram sect, he called on Nigerians to return to the values of peaceful co-existence and brotherly love.
Continuing, he said: “As we celebrate this auspicious occasion, therefore, let us renew our faith in our nation and implore the Almighty Allah to restore to us those values that place high premium on human life, love of neighbour and sharing even as we ventilate our faith in the unity of our dear country and the possibility of her taking her proper place in the comity of nations”.
The Governor, who said that the spirit of Eid-el-Fitri resonates around the virtue of love and respect not just for our creator but also for fellow humans, condemned in very strong terms the violence being perpetuated against Nigerians and Nigeria emphasizing that it is only in the spirit of brotherly love and dedication to national service that Nigerians could build the desired nation.
The Governor said, “In this all important crusade to rescue our dear country from socio-economic as well as political quagmire, let us all continue to demonstrate those sterling virtues of harmonious and peaceful co-existence as well as willingness to serve in this melting pot of cultures where the multi-ethnic and multi-religious nature of our State is turned into a source of strength”,
Governor Ambode thanked Lagos residents for their continued harmonious and peaceful co-existence in the midst of diverse ethnic origin and religion.
“With your demonstration of love for your neighbour and the willingness to serve, our State will continue to be a model of what patriotic Nigerians will want our dear country to be”, he said.
Governor Ambode wished all Muslim brothers and sisters in the State a happy Eid-el-Fitri celebration, just as he enjoined Nigerians in other parts of the country to take a cue from Lagos and continue to be their brothers’ keepers.
