Buhari, Fashola in Church Service, Urge Nigerians to Thank God

Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola

By Gboyega Akinsanmi
The presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, on Sunday attended the annual thanksgiving church service organised by the Lagos State Government in partnership with the General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch A. Adeboye at Lagos House, Ikeja.

Theyurged all Nigerians to give thanks to God in spite of challenges Nigeria has been facing in the past years.

The thanksgiving service was also attended by Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and Buhari’s running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, among others who urged Nigerians to give thanks despite all odds.

But Buhari said he was honoured “to be part of the thanksgiving service, noting that the 2015 edition brought together all Nigerians in Lagos State including Christians, Muslim and all religion in Lagos to thank God Almighty.

The presidential candidate explained that religion should never be used as an excuse “to divide us, oppress others or gain unfair advantage. All my life I have expressed the belief that all Nigerians must worship God according to their wish.”

He said the duty of government “is not religion. Security for all Nigerians

regardless of tribe or religion is our commitment on this day of thanksgiving. We shall all seat together like this, rejoice and thank God together for the Almighty God to give us the country of our dream.”

Disturbed by the avaluation of evil prophesies, Fashola appealed to the prophets of doom not “to prophesy evil things about Nigeria and our state,” expressing hope that the country would surmount her challenges.

In an emotional manner, Fashola snappily reflected on different challenges which the country went through in 2014 and came out strong, saying his countrymen should give thanks to God despite all the situations.

Fashola explained that 365 days after, when girls “have disappeared without trace, Bombs have exploded in mindless orgies of violence. Nigerian towns and villages have been sacked. Our brothers and sisters have been displaced from their homes. Young children have died in stampedes while looking for jobs…

“Some of our brothers and sisters in the military have lost their lives while trying to defend you and I and the fatherland. I ask you all what else we can do than to give thanks, express our gratitude and praise God for surviving.”

He, thus, warned the prophets of doom to desist from predicting evil things about the country, noting that he had no doubt that Nigeria and Lagos “are parts of the earth that God created and will survive their challenges.

“I will like to appeal to all those who predict bad things for our state and our country to see the glass as half-full. I have no doubt that this country and this state are part of the earth that God created. Yes, men may have passed laws and given names to territories.

“But the earth is the Lord’s. So, let men be men, and let God be God, because his will shall be done. Finally, as you all know, there is a time and season for everything. There is a time to start and a time to end,” Fashola added.

He, therefore, urged the citizens “to focus on our common humanity, and those things that we share together and focus less on those things that are different about us. Our languages, our religion, our ethnic origins are accidents of our birth and not the essential content of our humanity.

“If our creator wanted us to be the same it is not difficult for him to do so. Your faith is not better than mine, and if you think it is, I cannot quarrel with your opinion. You must respect my right to practice mine. That is why we gather today in the Centre of Excellence to thank and praise God together, Christians of different denominations, Moslems with different affiliations and traditionalists, because we are all grateful.”

He noted that the thanksgiving service where his tenure “is coming to an end. In 55 days, elections will be conducted and in 144 days my tenure will end. A new governor will start his own journey and next year’s Thanksgiving will be hosted by him and not me.”

He, therefore, asked the residents to choose wisely, urging them “to choose experience. I hope you will not experiment. I have said repeatedly that I do not see ethnic groups. I see Lagos residents, who contribute to the development of their state. But I cannot change the way people choose to see themselves.”