Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has called on Nigerians, particularly religious leaders, to unite in tackling the various challenges facing the nation.
He made this appeal at the official opening ceremony of the 41st Bishops Council of the Methodist Church Nigeria, held at Hoare’s Memorial Methodist Cathedral, Yaba, Lagos, with the theme “Arise & Build.”
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Tayo Ayinde, Sanwo-Olu emphasized that the efforts of the nation’s founders and past heroes must not be in vain.
He stressed that no government can succeed without divine intervention and support from its citizens. He added that peaceful and harmonious living is crucial for the desired growth of the economy and overall prosperity.
He stated, “The theme for this council, “Arise and Build” (Nehemiah 2:18),” is timely for both the church and the nation. In the biblical passage that inspired this theme, Nehemiah and the elders of each tribe and household recognized the need to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The city’s walls, which once protected its inhabitants from external attacks, had been destroyed by enemies who had studied and strategized their assault, leaving the remaining citizens in a state of hopelessness.
“Motivated by his love for his country, Nehemiah sought permission to visit and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. He was determined to achieve this great goal and successfully persuaded the elders to understand why this endeavor was essential.
“At this crucial time, both our nation and the church need visionary leaders to rise and rebuild our lost heritage, history, and shared values. Alongside these leaders, we also need men and women who believe in and support the vision of those chosen by God to guide us to the next level of greatness. The labor of our past heroes shall not be in vain,” he added.
Follow the Parallel Facts channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCQSAoHgZWiDjR3Kn2E
