May I use this opportunity to wish you all Happy New Year. The best of 2018 be yours in Jesus name. Amen.
In our usual tradition, we have gathered here again, on the first Sunday of the Year, in thanksgiving and praise to God Almighty. We are gathered in acknowledgement of the supreme power of God in our affairs; as a State and as individuals because we know that it is not by our strength or good deeds but by His Grace that we are witnesses to this New Year 2018.
As a State, we have always called on God for guidance, protection and sustenance and He has always answered us. Our God will never fail us. He has never failed us and because of this we are entering the New Year with confidence and positive expectations.
Since the inception of this administration, we have called on God at the beginning of the year and our prayers have been prophetic as He always granted our desires beyond our expectations. At a time when the nation was in recession, our State was experiencing economic growth and while there was insecurity in other places, Lagos remains calm and peaceful.
This is not as a result of what the Government has done but by the special grace of God. And all we need to do is continue to give Him praise and thanksgiving and He will continue to bless and provide for us as Lagosians and a State.
In this New Year, we submit to Him again and I am confident that irrespective of whatever is happening elsewhere, our State and all our people will continue to excel in peace, good health, prosperity, love and joy. God will continue to shower His blessings on us as a State and our families and homes will experience new and wonderful milestones by His grace.
It is my prayer that as we come to His Gates and Courts with thanksgiving and with praises today, He will release His blessings upon us, guide and direct our path and lead us through the year successfully.
At this point, let me specially appreciate all our fathers and mothers in the Lord present here for your continuous prayers which have helped propel the State to be where it is today. I appreciate our Daddy in the Lord, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye and his wife, Mummy GO, for the words of life and prayers since we started our political journey and the yearly thanksgiving service in the State.
I offer my sincere gratitude to all our religious leaders for your presence today and continued support for the peace and progress of Nigeria and Lagos in particular. God bless you all.
On behalf of the government and people of Lagos State, and with a heart full of gratitude to God, I welcome you to the 2018 Annual Thanksgiving service. I wish you all an exciting, joyous and glorious year ahead.
Thank you and God bless us all.
Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko, lo je wa logun!!!
Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode
Governor of Lagos State,
Alausa.
7th January, 2018.