Lagos State First Lady, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday urged religious leaders in the state to continue to co-habit peacefully and embrace harmonious relationship with each other, saying such was necessary to engender growth and development.
Speaking at a Special event organized by the State’s Ministry of Home Affairs to mark the 2019 International Day of Tolerance, Dr Sanwo-Olu said no meaningful development could take place in a society devoid of peace, and that it was important for all residents to be tolerant of opposing views for peace to reign supreme in the State.
The wife of the Governor, who was represented at the event held at Regency Hall, MKO Gardens, Ikeja, by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat said tolerance was very critical for social and economic development of any given entity.
According to her, “The truth is that no meaningful development can occur in an atmosphere devoid of peace and harmonious relationship among the diverse groups that make up any society.
“Lagos State is richly blessed in terms of diverse ethnic and religious groups and it is important for all these groups to continue to co-habit harmoniously for the State to maintain its status as the commercial capital of not just Nigeria but an important economic hub in Africa.
“It calls for all hands to be on deck to ensure that we embrace peaceful co-existence and respect others beliefs and practices.”
Besides, the Lagos State Ministry of Home Affairs gave recognition awards to both the First Lady, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-olu and the Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, for their supports and encouragements towards the sustenance of peace in the State.
The celebration is designed by the State Government to enhance harmonious relationship and peaceful co-existence among religious bodies for better socio-economic development in the State.
The International Day of Tolerance is an annual observance day declared by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1995 to generate public awareness about the dangers of intolerance.
