Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has appealed for continued religious tolerance, peace, unity and safety in the state, Nigeria and the world.
Receiving the leadership of the Nigeria Baptist Convention (NBC) on a courtesy visit at the Lagos House, Marina on Tuesday, Governor Sanwo-Olu pointed out that the entire world is gradually feeling the consequences of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic. He therefore urged religious leaders to continue to seek God’s intervention on Nigeria and the world.
Sanwo-Olu told the team, led by the NBC President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Rev. (Dr) Israel Akanji, that while he appreciated God for the safety, peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance in the state among people of different faiths, he assured that the state government would continue to make the state accessible, available and liveable for all the residents.
“We are thankful for the relative peace we have in Lagos. We are thankful for keeping this city for us because indeed, it is not the biggest city in the country; it is a place where the entire economy and commercial activities of our country melt. So, we do not pray or wish for any form of disturbance. As your government, we will continue to do our very best. We will continue to check and monitor. We will continue to make the government accessible and available”, he said.
Congratulating the Baptist leaders for their ongoing 109th Convention, the Governor extended goodwill to over 20,000 members who scheduled to attend the event and promised to collaborate with the stakeholders to see what could be done to resolve some of the issues presented to him by the NBC leadership.
Earlier, Rev. Akanji praised the Governor for the successful containment of the COVID-19 pandemic and for measures put in place to ensure the security of lives and properties in the state.
He also commended the Sanwo-Olu’s administration for the harmony between Christians and Muslims in the state and urged people to be courageous and not to lose hope in Nigeria irrespective of the current challenges in the country.
Rev. Akanji, who was accompanied by his wife, Victoria, and other top religious leaders and NBC officials, including a retired Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Civil Service, Pastor Regina Obasa, appealed to Sanwo-Olu to complete the process of returning the Lagos Baptist Secondary School, Orile Agege to the church and also solicited the support of the state government in some of the church’s ongoing projects.
