Sanwo-Olu canvasses Religious Tolerance, Urges Religious Leaders To Continue To Pray For World Peace

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has sued for continued religious tolerance, peace and safety in the state, Nigeria and the World at large

Governor Sanwo-Olu made the plea at the Lagos House, Marina, while playing host to the leadership of the Nigeria Baptist Convention, led by its President, the Reverend Dr Israel Akanji.

The Governor who pointed out that the entire world is gradually feeling the consequences of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine as well as the impact of the global Covid-19 pandemic urged religious leaders to continue for God’s intervention.

Expressing gratitude to God for safety and peaceful coexistence in Lagos, Governor Sanwo-Olu assured that as a government, his administration would continue to remain accessible to the people, transparent and just.

“The country which we all know and the World indeed is passing through very difficult times, watching the news last night and this morning, there are threats of a third world war and more than ever before, we require your intervention and your prayers to continue to uplift the country and our state” the Governor said.

Congratulating the Baptist leaders on the Church’s 109th convention ongoing in the State, Governor Sanwo-Olu extended goodwill to the over twenty thousand members who are said to be attending the event and promised to look into the issues raised by the leadership of the Nigerian Baptist Convention.

The Reverend Dr Akanji had earlier commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for the successful containment of the covid-19 pandemic and measures put in place to ensure security of lives and properties.

Accompanied by his wife, Victoria and other top Pastors of the church in Lagos, including a retired Permanent Secretary in the State Civil Service, Pastor Regina Obasa, Dr Akanji appealed to the Governor to complete the process of returning the Lagos Baptist Secondary School, Orile Agege to the Church and also solicited the support of the State government in some of the church’s ongoing projects.

Stop Talking Down on Nigeria, Cleric Says

Meanwhile, the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, the Reverend Dr. Isreal Akanji has admonished Nigerians not to lose hope over what the nation is currently experiencing.

In an interview with newsmen in Lagos on the message of the Church’s 109th convention, Dr Akanji who said though news from within and outside the country are discouraging, he stated that Nigerians should not be discouraged as God can and will surely turn things around for good

“We are bedeviled with insecurity, poverty, a lot of pains and troubles everywhere, terrorists activities, banditry, all kinds of vocabularies we were never using in the past five years have now completely taken over, but then, the God we are serving is a God of newness, he brings new things, even out of terrible situations, for man, it may look impossible, but with God, all things are possible, and what we are reeling Nigerians is not to be discouraged, let’s put our hope in God because things are definitely going to better” the Cleric assured.

Pointing out that even though the current situation in the country is daunting, Dr Akanji appealed to citizens to trust God and continue to speak good about Nigeria.

“I wish we’ll cooperate with God by trusting him, let’s stop all negative talks about ourselves, about our nation, let’s be positive and trust that God will make Nigeria the great nation that he has planned it to be” he said.

Themed “Entering into newness with praise and thanksgiving”, the Baptist Convention which was held between the 23-28th of this month was a platform for spiritual renewal fand re-commitment to God for the faithful; reporting stewardship; fellowship with God and one another; prayer to address the nation’s insecurity, economic challenges and 2023 general elections.