The Archbishop of the Methodist Church Nigeria (Lagos), Most Rev. Isaac Ayo Olawuyi, has counselled that in conformity with spirit of religious tolerance, come 2027 a Muslim should govern Lagos state.
The cleric Most Rev. Olawuyi gave this counsel while delivering a sermon at the Assembly’s 22nd Annual Thanksgiving Service with the theme: ‘The Voice Of Mercy’.
He averred that: “We have consideration for religious inclination in Lagos State.
“Now, it’s time to give our Muslim brothers a chance to govern us in Lagos State.
We have had patriarchs in Lagos State ever since the days of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is the Abraham followed by former Governors Babatunde Raji Fashola, Akinwunmi Ambode the Isaac and the incumbent Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu the Jacob.
“We want to pray that when it’s time for the election, it would be a time for us to elect who will govern us in Lagos State effectively.”
“It would be 12 years in 2027 that we have been in the system together and we have been having Christians as governors.”
The cleric however, task Nigerians to be merciful to one another in line with God’s instruction noting that it is the only way the harsh economic realities can be cushioned.
“Touch others, show mercy to others. That is the only way to quell the difficulty in the land. When the mercy of God is upon you, all protocols would be broken. All things are possible by the mercies of God.
“We receive forgiveness of our sins from Him by His mercies. The nation needs God’s mercy and it is by His mercy that we can overcome our predicaments and our shortcomings.
“How many people have you helped and taken care of? Go and show love and mercy,” he said.
He praised the Speaker for his leadership and collaboration with the other arms of government saying these have kept the state strong.
“You have been a true and sensitive leader with a big heart. You have proved yourself worthy. We pray that God will continue to use you to make us smile in Lagos and also grant you your heart desires,” he said while commending President Tinubu for the steps he has taken so far.
In his speech at the event Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly also corroborated the call by the cleric to show mercy to others, while further charging his colleagues and other well-meaning Nigerians present to toe same path to salvage the nation.
Obasa however, added that Nigerians should not despair going by the hardship Nigerians are encountering at the moment, as he affirmed that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led government will eventually take them to the promised land.
L-R H.E Princess Adejoke Orelope Adefulire Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs),Rt.Hon Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa Speaker Lagos State House of Assembly,Archbishop of the Methodist Church Nigeria (Lagos), Most Rev. Isaac Ayo Olawuyi at the Assembly’s Christmas get together on Friday December 13,2024.
“The outgoing year is indeed a challenging one, especially considering the economic situation of the country. Nevertheless, we have solace in the fact that the government of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR is not leaving any stone unturned to bring us to our promised land.
“Mr. President is busy doing everything possible to put smiles on our faces. Trust me, succour is coming. I urge us to keep the hope alive.” Obasa said.
The Patron of the 22nd edition of the annual event Hon. Olootu Emmanuel (Ifako Ijaiye constituency 2) hinted that the event speaks volumes of God’s divine grace upon the lives of all lawmakers and staffers of the Assembly, while adding that though God may tarry but he will surely show up merciful to everyone.
This gathering is purposely meant to give thanks to God for his grace upon the lives of members of the Lagos House of Assembly, as well as that of the legislative staffers for a whole year 2024. It informs the dedication of a day to gather together praise and worship him, giving honour to his holy name.
The theme-Voice of Mercy is so symbolic in that our being alive till now shows that we have received the grace of God to have witnessed the year 2024 from January to December.
“To the populace, although we know many people are complaining of hunger but I still believe there is no hunger in the country, because the grace of God is sufficient enough to help us through.
“I urge the populace that in any situation you find yourself today there is still a better tomorrow. So definitely they should wait on the Lord and his mercy will surely shine on them.”
The only Bible reading for the day was taken by Hon. Foluke Osafile (Amuwo Odofin Constituency 1) from Hebrew chapter four verse sixteen as officials from the various arms of the state government, members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), traditional rulers and guest preachers, listened with rapt attention.
Soul lifting gospel tunes were sumptuously supplied by the following artists-Ayan Jesu, Elijah Daniel (Omomajemu) and SAXBOI&The Band to the admiration of all gathered, who danced their hearts out in pure adoration of the wondrous works of God over the year 2024.
One of the lawmakers Hon.Desmond Elliott (Surulere constituency 1) in a chat with newsmen charged Nigerians to share love with one another as the year winds down.
“First and foremost, I want to urge Nigerians to be law abiding, secondly the only thing we owe our brothers and sisters is love let that love shine.
“You have what you don’t need you can give it to someone you can share, that is the essence of the season. It is hard but you can share and let’s prove, as God said by the time you do good to others then it goes round.
“This is a time the Lagos State House of Assembly wants to thank God for a wonderful and fruitful year, a year of grace yes it has been tough but through it all God has been with us, God has kept us alive, God has given us hope, there is nothing better than hope.
“I am very hopeful that God is going to bring back salvation to this country, back to our state and move us to the promised land.
“It is a clarion call for us to move closer to God understand his principles and precepts that yes, we are not angels but God expects us to live by the book and that is what we are doing.
“Year 2024 has been a year of mercy and we hope 2025 shall be a year of mercy, favour, hope, salvation and most of all happiness.” Hon Elliott prays.