Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday reiterated the commitment of the State Government to religious harmony among all residents, stressing that the promotion of religious activities is deliberately aimed at sustaining the existing peaceful coexistence among Lagosians.
The Governor disclosed this at a special Eid-el-Kabir celebration put together by the First Family, through the Ministry of Home Affairs, held at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja,
Sanwo-Olu, represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashade Jaji, acknowledged the peaceful conduct of the just concluded Local Government Elections across the State on Saturday, calling on residents to continue praying for the peace of Lagos State and Nigeria ceaselessly.
His words: “I thank all residents of this great State, especially eligible voters, who participated in the local council elections that took place yesterday. It is indeed worthwhile to appreciate God because against all odds and already expressed fears in some quarters, the entire conduct of the elections was adjudged peaceful and without a record of violence”.
The Governor, however, pleaded with both Christians and Muslims to continue to pray to God for the reinstatement of values that would further help the development of Lagos State and the country as a whole.
In her address at the event, the First Lady of the State, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, urged the Muslim community in the State to recommit to the ideals of Eid-el-Kabir festival, emphasising the importance of upholding the virtues of sacrifice, love and peaceful co-existence.
According to her, “The essence of the festival is such that lays emphasis on the virtues of sacrifice, love, peace, unity, helping the needy and most importantly, total submission to the will and commandment of God as aptly demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim”.
“Prophet Ibrahim, as a mark of clear sincerity to Allah’s will, was prepared to offer his son Isma’il as a sacrifice despite the fact that it was a tough call for him. Both father and son proved their love and obedience to the Almighty Allah”, she added.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu explained that the celebration was geared towards appreciating Allah and serving as a veritable reminder of the need for people to remain faithful to the ideals of the festival.
She said, “More than before, this is the time for us to come together to make our respective Communities, Cities, States and Country a better and safer place for everyone; this is the time for us to truly treasure brotherly love and harmonious co-existence; and also, pray for the peace and tranquillity of Lagos State and Nigeria”.
“Beyond the festivities, it is a time for us to renew our faith in our nation and implore Almighty Allah to restore to us those values that place a high premium on human life, love of neighbour and genuine commitment to the growth and development of our dear State and Country”, the Governor’s wife added.
Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, acknowledged the unbiased disposition of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration to the growth and development of the two major religions in the State.
While noting that the approval of the Governor for the event affirmed his love for Muslim faithful in Lagos State, Prince Elegushi assured participants that the subsequent editions of the celebration will be better and more successful.
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Pix 3: (L-R) Representative of Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Shakiru Gafar; Chief Imam of Badagry, Alhaji Abdul Hakeem Uthman; Secretary to Lagos State Government, Mrs. Folashade Jaji; First Lady, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Wife of Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat; Chief Imam of Epe, Sheikh Abdul-Rahman Abiola; Head of Missioners, Lagos Central Mosque, Sheikh Tijani Gbajabiamila and Chairman, Lagos State Christian Association of Nigeria, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, at the special Eid-El-Kabir celebration by the state government, held at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, on Sunday, July 25, 2021.
