As Nigeria celebrates its 64th Independence Anniversary, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged Nigerians to be hopeful in the country, assuring there is a sustainable plan to sustain economic stability and enhance the well-being of the citizens.
Sanwo-Olu stated this at a Special Jumaat organised to commemorate the 64th National Independence Day Celebration, held on Friday at the Lagos State Secretariat Community Central Mosque, Alausa, Ikeja.
Nigeria will be celebrating its 66th independence anniversary on Tuesday, October 1. The anniversary is coming amidst dire economic challenges and plans by some groups to embark on protest in grievance against the prevailing situation.
However, Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat at the Jumaat prayer, stated that as a nation, the people should not allow hopelessness, saying plans and actions are being put in place by the government to ensure that the nation overcomes the present challenges it is 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,” a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor (Media), Office of the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Tunde Alao quoted Sanwo-Olu.
Speaking further, the governor said that he is optimistic about a better Nigeria because there is an ongoing workable plan, stressing that as long as there are plans and visions, everything will be fine for the country and its citizens.
In addition, Sanwo-Olu charged Nigerians to always look at facts in their public discourse and commentaries stating that “these have adverse effects on our nation-building and development.”
“As such, public commentary should emphasise the reason why the country keeps moving in circles despite the quality of intelligent people in the country, noting that Nigerians succeed all over the world,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu also bemoaned that many Nigerians have lost the cherished value of communal living, noting that everyone has westernised their way of living which has led to the breakdown of family values.
He beseeched parents to take parenting seriously as this has led to a lack of values in society.
He also charged the clerics to help fix the broken family units in the country, through regular sermons which should emphasise how to fix the family unit.
He noted that the clerics should support the government as people listen to them more.
In his Goodwill message, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba, urged Nigerians to exercise patience.
“The present situation is like a debilitated building, which requires major rehabilitation, as such, Nigerians need to exercise patience,” he said.
In his sermon, Chief Imam, Dr. Issa Abdul-Mujeeb emphasised the need for the people to reform their mindsets and continually pray for the country to make it better.
