Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has encouraged Nigerians to remain hopeful, assuring that the ongoing efforts to improve the nation’s economy will soon yield results.
The governor made this statement during a special Jumat service organized to commemorate the 64th National Independence Day at the Lagos State Secretariat Community Central Mosque in Alausa, Ikeja, on Friday.
Represented by the state’s deputy governor, Kadri Hamzat, Mr. Sanwo-Olu emphasized the need for optimism, urging citizens not to succumb to despair.
He highlighted that the government is actively implementing strategies to address the country’s economic challenges.
“As a people, we cannot afford to be hopeless. We must be optimistic because there is a plan in place,” Mr. Sanwo-Olu stated. He noted that the plan, aimed at ensuring Nigeria’s economic stability, involves significant imports as well as the development of critical infrastructure such as schools and hospitals.
He further expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, stressing that the country’s intellectual potential could drive national progress. However, he warned that negative discourse could hinder this development.
“We must address why our country sometimes seems stagnant, even though Nigerians excel globally,” the governor remarked, calling for fact-based discussions on national issues.
Mr. Sanwo-Olu also lamented the erosion of communal values, attributing it to the increasing adoption of western lifestyles. He appealed to parents and religious leaders to play active roles in restoring these values and strengthening family structures.
Calls for Patience and National Unity
In a goodwill message, the Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Kazeem Alogba, urged Nigerians to exercise patience, likening the country’s current challenges to a deteriorating building that requires extensive rehabilitation.
He noted, “Allah has blessed the country with a good, God-fearing president with noble intentions.”
Justice Alogba also called on citizens to be grateful for the nation’s unity despite the adversities it has faced. He said, “We have every reason to remain hopeful,” while stressing the importance of patience in achieving national reforms.
Religious Leaders Advocate for Righteousness and Faith
The Chief Imam of the Lagos State Secretariat Community Central Mosque, Dr. Issa Abdul-Mujeeb, used the occasion to call for a collective mindset shift and the necessity of prayer for a better Nigeria.
He underscored the achievements of the nation’s founding fathers and expressed hope for a similar transformative era in the near future.
In a similar vein, Muslim cleric Sahid Ahmad urged Nigerians to uphold righteousness and faith as a path to national and personal salvation.
He emphasized, “At 64, Nigerians must keep the faith, act justly, and remain hopeful. It is through these actions that Allah will ease their fears and fulfil His promises.”
Both clerics warned that persistent negativity and divisiveness could result in severe consequences for future generations, urging Nigerians to remain steadfast in their commitment to national progress.
