NIGERIANS MUST BE PATRIOTIC, OUR CHALLENGES WILL ABATE SOON – LAGOS DEPUTY GOVERNOR
The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat has charged Nigerians to be patriotic and hopeful as all present challenges being experienced will give way to relief soon as a new Nigeria emerges.
Dr. Hamzat disclosed this today at the Lagos Secretariat Community Central Mosque, Alausa, during a Jumat Service held to commemorate the 63rd National Independence Day Celebration. He added that Nigeria is still way better than some countries currently facing war, natural disasters and other economic challenges.
He admonished citizens at all levels to support the government of the day instead of joining other international organisations to demean the reputation of the nation while using derogatory words to undermine the efforts of the government, stressing that citizens have a responsibility to make our institutions work.
Speaking on the last election, Obafemi noted that all elections worldwide have their peculiarities and any aggrieved party has the right to approach the courts.
Earlier in his sermon, Sheikh Ahmad Saed charged Nigerians to be thankful to God for the country’s continued corporate existence in the last 63 years despite all the challenges, noting that the country is blessed with human and natural resources which other nations of the world crave.
Sheikh Saed advised the government to take advantage of the country’s population which can be gainfully managed and deployed into galvanising the production sector of the economy.
In his words, “The government should be able to mitigate our challenges and fix them through the deployment of resources to engender solutions and create more jobs for the larger population after proper and genuine stakeholders’ interactions’’.
The Commissioner for Home Affairs, Hon. Ibrahim Layode expressed his appreciation to all present at the event, stating that all religious leaders in the country have a responsibility to use their Pulpit to preach tolerance, patriotism and the need for heightened moral values in the family unit.
The special Jumat was graced by members of the State Executive Council, the outgoing Head of Service and newly appointed Private Secretary to President Bola Tinubu, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, members of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Islamic Clerics and other top government functionaries.
The 63rd National Independence Day Celebration continues with an Interdenominational Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 24th September 2023 at the Chapel of Christ The Light and the main Parade at the Onikan Stadium on Sunday, 1st October 2023.