Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Thursday sought the cooperation of all Nigerians, and urged them to rededicate themselves to the cause of a peaceful and prosperous Lagos where residents, regardless of ethnic, religious or social status, could prosper.
Ambode, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Habib Aruna, said that it was only by embracing peace, unity and fairness that Nigerians could put the country back on its leadership pedestal.
He urged them to embrace the tenets of love, tolerance, forgiveness and brotherhood, which characterized the period of the holy month.
“The nation needs brotherly love and harmonious co-existence among its citizens above all other things, as a means to overcome the numerous challenges threatening its fledgling democracy, especially the challenge of insecurity.
“In the last one year, everyday has been a season of countless blessings, in spite of unwanted developments, such as the physical, psychological and structural violence on our nation,” he said.
Ambode condemned the wave of violence being perpetuated by the Boko Haram sect, and called on Nigerians to return to the values of peaceful co-existence and brotherly love.
“As we celebrate this auspicious occasion, therefore, let us renew our faith in our nation.
“Let us also implore the Almighty Allah to restore to us those values that place high premium on human life, love of neighbours and sharing, even as we ventilate our faith in the unity of our dear country and the possibility of it taking its proper place in the comity of nations,” he said.
Ambode said that the spirit of Eid-el-Fitri resonates around the virtue of love and respect, not just for the creator, but also for fellow humans.
“In this all important crusade to rescue our dear country from socio-economic and political quagmire, let us all continue to demonstrate those sterling virtues of harmonious and peaceful co-existence.
” I urge Nigerians to show willingness to serve in this melting pot of cultures, where the multi-ethnic and multi-religious nature of our state is turned into a source of strength,” he said.
Ambode thanked residents for their continued harmonious and peaceful co-existence in the midst of diverse ethnic origin and religion.
“With your demonstration of love for your neighbour and the willingness to serve, our state will continue to be a model of what patriotic Nigerians will want our dear country to be,” he said.
NAN
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