Francesca Odimgbe
Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has advised Nigerians to eschew violence and other vices and embrace greater unity and a shared sense of purpose for the country to achieve lasting prosperity.
The Governor stated this on Friday after a Special Jumaat Service to commemorate the 66th National Independence Day, held at the Lagos Secretariat Community Central Mosque, Alausa, Ikeja, stressing that the nation possesses the human talent, capacity and abundant natural resources required to drive sustainable development and achieve greater prosperity.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, urged Nigerians to look beyond ethnic, religious and other differences and work together towards building a stronger, peaceful and prosperous nation.
“Part of the challenge is that we are not united as a people. We see ourselves differently, so there is no coincidence of purpose. If we unite and come together, we have the talent, ability, and resources to lift this country. So, I am saying that unity is very important, and that’s the major challenge that we face,” he said.
The Governor noted that the consequences of disunity have contributed to some of the major challenges Nigeria has experienced over the years, including the Civil War, emphasizing that greater cohesion among citizens would create a stronger foundation for national development.
According to him, building a better Nigeria should not be left to the government alone, as religious institutions, traditional institutions, the private sector and citizens all have important roles to play in achieving national unity and progress.
He recalled the collective response to the COVID-19 pandemic, when government, private organisations, religious bodies and individuals came together to support efforts to address the pandemic, saying the same spirit of cooperation should be sustained beyond emergencies.
Earlier in his sermon, the Chief Imam, Yunuss Al-Imam, admonished Nigerians to play an active role in the development of their communities, underscoring that the responsibility for societal progress should not be left entirely to the government.
He added that Nigerians should recognise the need to promote unity and avoid tribal sentiments in their interactions with others, emphasizing that no tribe is superior to another.
“I want to urge the congregation to shun tribalism, religious intolerance and traditional conflicts, and instead embrace peace, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence for the progress and development of society,” said the Imam.