July 27, 2014 – Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, has sought the cooperation of all Nigerians in finding lasting solution to the challenges confronting the country, saying only Nigerians can take it out of the doldrums.
In a Salah message to the people, the Governor said it is only by embracing peace, unity and fairness that Nigerians can put the country back on its leadership pedestal and urged them to embrace the spirit of love, tolerance, forgiveness and brotherhood preached by Islam and other religions.
He observed that the country, with all its potentials, has no business with poverty if only its citizens can join hands to give it the right focus and called on them to cooperate and stamp out intolerance, discrimination, cheating, violence, disobedience to the law and other ills from the system.
As he said, the country will only assume its leadership position in Africa and among the black race when Nigerians embrace law and order, unity of purpose, equity and patriotism
He implored the people to celebrate the Id-El Fitri with moderation and in the fullness of the spirit of Ramadan which encourages peace, sharing, brotherhood, kindness and fairness and urged them to keep up with those virtues they have gained in the holy month.
The Governor also called on the citizens to be open and receptive to positive change as a way to achieve real development, saying human beings should always seek better ways of doing whatever they do. According to him, development can only be achieved when the citizenry show understanding that constant renovation, expansion and general redevelopment often take place in most of the holy places and developed societies with which they compare their own environment with the necessary sacrifice made in the process.
While also underscoring the need for increased observance of personal hygiene and other advice spelt out by health experts, the governor also called for continued vigilance, security consciousness and avoidance of scare mongering adding that any observed strange development should be brought promptly to the attention of the authorities and security agencies.
Governor Fashola wished all Lagos residents and their brothers and sisters across the country a happy and peaceful Eid-El- Fitri celebration.
