The Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu surprised many at the Lagos State 2020 Annual Thanksgiving Service which was held first Sunday of the year when he eulogised and blessed his immediate predecessor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and prayed for God’s blessing on the family of the former governor.
Sanwo-Olu spoke during the Government’s annual Thanksgiving Service held at the State House in Alausa, IKeja with the theme: “Offering Glorifies God”.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who was given the assignment of reading the fourth Bible lesson of the Thanksgiving Service and to also give his brief address to the congregation, was so magnanimous in humbleness and respect when he was appreciating the founding fathers of the state and past leaders.
Sanwo-Olu started his speech by blessing the name of God on behalf of Late Mobolaji Johnson, who served as Military Administrator of the Federal Territory of Lagos from January 1966 to May 1967 during the military regime of General Aguyi-Ironsi (to July 1966, and General Gowon subsequently. He poured glowing tributes to the first civilian governor of the state, Alhaji Lateef Jakande. He also appreciated the past military governors of the state before he talked extensively of the positive impacts the National Leader of All Progressive Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu had on Lagos State in his eight years administration.
According to the Governor, it was Tinubu who began the progressive conversation that has added tremendous values to governance in Lagos till now. Describing former Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola as a friend and elder brother, Sanwo –Olu said the Minister of Works has been so helpful in giving advises and always remember to put Lagos first even as a Minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria.
When he came to the turn of Ambode, Governor Sanwo-Olu appreciated the good works Ambode did during his four years in power. He praised the ex governor and his wife, Bolanle Patience Ambode for what God has used them to do for Lagos. He prayed that God would continue to bless Ambode and his family.
Sanwo-Olu recalled that the last Lagos State annual thanksgiving which was held in January, 2019, he came to the event as an ordinary invited person, sitting quietly in the crowd, but as God would have it and to the mercy of the Lord of all, he was standing to address the invited guests and Lagosians in the 2020 Thanksgiving Service as the 15thExecutive Governor of the state with population of over 25 million people
The Governor, who was before his speech rendered some spirit filled songs of praises to God with dance to give a wonderful worship, told his audience that it was by His grace that he attained the height which he found himself today.
Sanwo-Olu used the occasion to reiterate his commitment and that of his Deputy, Olufemi Hamzat to deliver his mandate of good governance to the people of Lagos, adding that “everything we are doing, we will ensure we do it with human face. We are here to bring justice to governance in Lagos State because we believe we are here for a short period which means we must ensure that we make our staying in office has positive meaning to the people.
“We are convinced that this year will be a turning point for a lot of good things for the people. We will continue to make life better for the citizen.”
He described the New Year as “crucial period” for governance in Lagos, disclosing that his administration would be rolling out its development programmes with renewed momentum,
Despite being at the helms of affairs in the state, Sanwo-Olu noted that God remains the sole administrator of Lagos. He said his election and inauguration into office was divine, promising to always refer to God in administering the affairs of the state.
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