Sanwo-Olu assures Lagosians that the new Lagos has just risen ---commends residents and people of Lagos for their steadfastness and support in the last general elections.

 By Cornelius Kayode

Lagos State Governor, Mr . Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has assured people and residents of Lagos State that in as much as the people and entire Lagosians has thrown their weight behind his re-election with their votes in the last general elections, the new Lagos they are clamoring for has just risen, just as he commended the people for their support and steadfastness in the last elections, which ultimately gave him another 4-year of running affairs of the state for the second term. 

The Governor gave the commendation during the Year 2023 1444 AH Eid-El-Fitri Celebration, with the theme "After Difficulty, Comes ease taken from the Holy Quran 94 vs 6, which took place at Lagos House Ground, Ikeja, Lagos. 

Sanwo-Olu used the opportunity to congratulate the Muslim faithful for completing the Ramadan fasting at the period, especially for using the occasion to pray fervently for the country, Lagos State, the President and the in-coming President and all state governors and local government chairmen, not forgetting all heads of parastatals corporate organisations in the country. 

Governor Sanwo-Olu assured all that gathered at the event that the governor would not take all the aforementioned for granted, but assured them that as often repeated in his electioneering campaigns, his government wouldn't take them for granted but definitely ensure that new Lagos had just risen with a lot of more developmental projects across the state. 

"Let me assure all and sundry that with all the support and your steadfastness especially in the last general elections, our administration wouldn't take you for granted but ensure that as often emphasised during our electioneering campaigns, be assured that a new Lagos is risen in Lagos", Sanwo-Olu said.

Also in her welcome address at the event, Dr. Mrs. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, explained that the celebration has been sustained by the Lagos State Government as a platform to host Islamic Clerics, Religious leaders, dignitaries, and members of the general public in line with the policy of inclusive governance, and appreciation of the role of religious leaders in the development of our dear state. 

She maintained that indeed, “After Difficulty, Comes Ease” as exemplified by the theme of this year’s celebration"

She said "after 29 days of self-denial and personal discipline in total submission to Almighty Allah’s commandments, we are gathered here to express our gratitude to God for the strength and good health to witness the end of another Ramadan. Ramadan, as we know, is a spiritual exercise that teaches the virtues of love, tolerance, forgiveness, brotherhood, neighborliness, sacrifice, self-denial, piousness, and generosity, among others. It was a period that reinforced the need for us to seek spiritual advancement and closeness to God, by stepping away from our comfort zones, where we indulge in various acts that are pleasing to us as human beings but which may not be acceptable to God", She said.

 She also said further that Ramadan also teaches selflessness and love, requiring us to think less about ourselves and more about the welfare of less privileged persons, adding that it teaches us to reach out to the needy, to put smiles on the faces of people, and to be a source of blessing to many.  

The First Lady also seize this opportunity to appreciate Lagosians for the massive support and vote of confidence in re-electing Governor Babajide Olusola Aduragbemi Sanwo-Olu and Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat to continue in Office as our Governor and Deputy Governor for another term. 

"I know for a fact that the reward for hard work is more work and the people should expect more work from Mr. Governor and his team and and let me again, most warmly welcome you all to this Special Eid-El-Fitr Celebration", Mrs Sanwo-Olu said. 

Also in his lecture titled "Charting a new course for our Nation -Drawing on the ideals of Ramadan", Professor Amidu Sanni, the Chief Imam, Lagos State University Mosque, explained that God had not created us to suffer but to enjoy, thus, he enjoined all the Muslim faithful to reciprocate all the teachings and doctrines as enshrined in the Holy Quran. 

Also in his vote of thanks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Religion, (Muslim), Abdullah Jebe, expressed appreciation to all the Muslim Faithful, especially the committee saddled with the responsibility of the Eid-Ul Fitri celebration, prayed that God will give them the strength and long life to see more of the celebration on earth. 

Highlights of the event include prayer for the first family in the state, deputy governor and family, state executive council, Speaker and the entire legislature, Chief Judge and the Judiciary, HoS and the entire public service, President-elect and Nigeria and the entire citizens of Lagos State