Emmanuel Thomas, Lagos
August 14, 2015 – Former military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, (retd) has called on Nigerians to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari, Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, other governors and members of the National Assembly to live above board in the discharge of their respective duties.
Gowon who made the appeal during a courtesy call on Ambode said leaders need prayers to deliver the dividend of democracy which they promised during the last election.
“We all should pray often for this country. In as much as we pray sincerely and not for selfish reasons, I know that God will answer our prayers.
“If not for prayer, the 2015 election would not have ended the way it went. Prior to the election, everyone was expecting afraid. But with prayer, the outcome of the election brought relief to the nation. This is an indication that God answers our prayer in Nigeria”, he said.
While responding, Ambode paid glowing tributes to Gowon, saying that he is actually the one that created Lagos State in May 1967.
“God granted him the grace, he became the Head of State in July 1966 and also becoming the youngest Head of State that Nigeria has ever produced.
“Listening to an octogenarian speak for 30 minutes, I still have a long way to go. Thank you on different fronts, first for creating Lagos state. It remains the only state that has not been divided ever since you created it since 1967. Thank you for visiting us today, it would also go down in history as the first time you would be visiting a sitting governor in Lagos state.
“ I remember also that the former Head of State was the person who created Unity Schools when they were created for the cohesion of Nigerians and to create future leaders of which I am a product of Unity School and also a product of the original vision about the future of Nigeria.
“I also quickly recall that at the end of the civil war in 1970, your good self declared that there was no victor and no vanquished and the main reason why you did that was because you wanted to create a platform for the future unity of Nigeria and that is why we are so glad to receive you here today.
“Lagos remains a major cosmopolitan state and all Nigerians from different tribes and all walks of life actually living in the last 48 years since it was created.
“I want to welcome you because what you stand for is what you have continued to preach as young as you were before and even at the age of 81, you are still preaching the same thing you have been preaching 50 years ago, thank you so much sir.
“I know that Nigeria Prays is a nonprofit organisation that has interdenominational groups that have come together to pray for Nigeria. Yes, it’s been established since the last nine years of miracle, nine years of surprising blessings from God, whether we want to take it for granted or not, the last election could not have taken place if the hand of God was not there,” he said.
