EXPECT PROJECT DELIVERY, QUALITY SERVICE TILL OUR LAST DAY IN OFFICE-FASHOLA …

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Saturday attended the 2014 Interdenominational Divine Service of the Lagos State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), declaring that residents would continue to witness the completion and commissioning of projects till his last day in office even as he advocated restraint and tolerance among the citizenry.

The Governor who spoke at the IDDS service with the theme, “Remember Now Thy Creator” held at the Apostolic Church Nigeria, International Convention Grounds, Ketu added that it is those who restrain themselves in the course of advocating their rights who have acted with nobility.

“The power of restraint for me is what makes the exercise of rights more virtuous. It is easier to exercise rights than to exercise power, but it is the unexercised power that is more virtuous where there is restraint and where there is tolerance. Religious differences defy logic, so the best way is restraint. Civil rights can be resolved in courts, but I am not sure that religious differences can be resolved in court”, he added.

He reiterated that there is a need to always listen to the other side which also has a right to be heard, adding that while people have always spoken about their rights with so much passion; the same level of passion is not applied to their responsibilities.

Informing congregants at the well attended inter-denominational service that the State Government has made some progress since he addressed the gathering last year, Governor Fashola said the State’s 2013 Budget recorded a performance of 85 percent.

He explained that the impact of the performance can be felt in the improving and increasing quality of life of people, stressing that since the beginning of the year, much progress has been made in the construction of additional inner city roads.

“We have delivered 16 roads in Mushin, two in Badagry, two in Ikeja, one in Ajegunle, two Bridges and four roads in Ejigbo, Maternal and Child Care Hospital in Amuwo Odofin, two blocks of classrooms in Iba Housing Estate, our partnership with the private sector also gave birth to another 18 classrooms in Sabo Oniba, two Ferry Jetty and Terminal in Ojo and Ijegun, all in the last five to six weeks”, he added.

Giving a commitment that similar completions and commissioning of projects is what residents of Lagos would continue to see till the last day of his administration in office, Fashola said despite the incidents of violence that were reported in Bariga, Mushin and Shomolu, the State’s security commitment has raised the bar, making the State safer and the communities secure.

The Governor tasked the people to also help in promoting security by being vigilant, conscious and taking less risks while being involved in safety measures, adding that no one should leave anything to chance but always report about strange occurrences in their various communities to community, religious or traditional leaders or better still make use of the toll free lines of 767 or 112.

On the issue of religious tension, the Governor commended the holding of interdenominational service but advocated the organising of interfaith services to break down the wall of rumours that exist about each religion, adding that when this is done, it would be clear to everyone that there is only one Supreme God.

He urged the people to downplay ethnic or religious messages when issues arise by focusing on what the person involved has done wrong, explaining that if an act is bad, it should be condemned outright and not ascribed to the particular religion that the perpetrator practices.

The Governor also told all those who agitate over land that what they should always consider is that no one knows how the land came about or came to its present location and that the earth represents the final destination for all mortals.

The Governor who also spoke on the 20Billion US Dollars that is reportedly missing from the Federation Account, urged Nigerians to raise their voices so that the issues can be resolved in a way that benefits the poor people.

Noting that since the issue of the missing money became public knowledge, Nigerians have not been paying attention, the Governor urged the citizenry to pay attention to goings on in the country in a peaceful way and manner.

Governor Fashola said the number of new roads, hospitals and cancer centres that can be built from the usage of such a huge sum for the benefit of the generality of the people is better imagined.

He reiterated that if the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge cost the State a little less than N30Billion and that now over 20Billion Dollars cannot be accounted for, it means such an amount of money would have built over 50 of such Bridges with each state of the federation getting one.

“I think the question of poverty and underdevelopment requires us to focus less on ethnic divides and religion and more on economic issues, public accounting challenges that we are seeing and how impactful the 20Billion or 10Billion US Dollars can be in our lives if they are properly utilized and properly accounted for and utilized in accordance with Appropriation laws that are made by our representatives”.

“I have urged our people to continue to listen, to participate in and to do so peacefully. The reason why we have to listen and participate is that, that accounting problem must be resolved in favour of ordinary Nigerians, because if there was over accounting and we found out that the money has been properly spent then, we can only provide more for the benefit of our people in terms of roads, jobs, food in terms of security and so on and that for me is the most important issue of the time that people should pay attention to”, he explained.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of Lagos State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Reverend Monsignor Bernard Okodua commended Christians from all faiths for turning out enmasse at the service.

He also commended the organizing committee for a job well done and spoke about the need for the present generation of Christian leaders to hand over the baton to future generations of Christians.

In a sermon, the publisher and author of “Our Daily Manna”, Dr Chris Kwakpovwe urged people to always reflect on what they are remembering God for, adding that there is a need for every living being to be closer to his Creator-God.

Drawing from the theme of the service, “Remember Now Thy Creator”, Dr Kwakpovwe charged everyone to always be humble in all their dealings in life and have an abiding believe and faith that with God, all things are possible.

The special service also featured intercessory prayers for peace in Lagos State and Nigeria, for youth, children and widows, for unemployment and church leaders.

Prominent among those who attended the service were the First Lady of Lagos State, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola, the Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Senator Olugbenga Ashafa and his wife, former Commissioner for Health, Dr Leke Pitan, Chairman of Ifako- Ijaiye Local Government Area, Hon Oloruntoba Oke, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Culture, Mrs Omotayo Olabenjo and several clergymen and women from different denominations.