…Salutes Gowon’s Contribution To Development Of Lagos
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday received the former Military Head of State, General (Dr) Yakubu Gowon Rtd, and other Executives members of ‘Nigeria Prays’, where he urged Nigerians to continue to coexist peacefully and pray for the continuous unity of the nation.
Speaking at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, the Governor, praised the former Head of State for his relentless effort in pursuing national peace and unity from the period he became Head of State till date.
“I also quickly recall that at the end of the civil war in 1970, your good self declared that there was no victor and no vanquished and the main reason why you did that was because you wanted to create a platform for the future unity of Nigeria and that is why we are so glad to receive you here today”.
“All these point to the fact that you have an unalloyed commitment to the unity of all Nigerians irrespective of where they come from and that is what we are very proud of in Lagos”, he said.
Governor Ambode recalled that it was the Former Head of State that created Lagos, adding that it remains the only state that has not been divided despite the different tribes and religious difference of people living in Lagos.
“Lagos remains a major cosmopolitan state and all Nigerians from different tribes and all walks of life actually living in the last 48 years since it was created it may please you to know that His Excellency is actually the one that created Lagos State in May 1967.
“It remains the only state that has not been divided ever since you created it since 1967. I remember also that the former Head of State was the person who created Unity Schools when they were created for the cohesion of Nigerians and to create future leaders of which I am a product of Unity School”, he said.
While urging Lagosians to join the group in praying for Nigeria, the Governor said that the success of the 2015 general election could not have been possible without divine intervention.
“So, obviously it’s just a manifestation of the greater blessings of the collective will of Nigerians to come together to lift up Nigeria spiritually and we can see that the future can only be better than what it has been in the past”, Governor Ambode said.
Earlier, the former Head of State said he and his team were in Lagos to pay homage to the Governor saying he has done some incredible work for the group.
He also lauded the Governor for graciously accepting to host the prayer session for the South West zone.
He said the group was ready to partner and pray for the country, adding that the change mantra has started to manifest in greater blessings for the nation just as he prayed for divine wisdom and courage for the Governor in his quest to move the state forward.
According to him, “It is only God that can help any nation solve its challenges. We all should pray often for this country. In as much as we pray sincerely and not for selfish reasons, I know that God will answer our prayers”.