Press Releases

Lagos Of Our Dreams Within Reach - Fashola

May 4, 2009 - Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Monday declared that with the support and contribution of religious leaders and all stakeholders, the Lagos and Nigeria of our dreams will be within reach.

Governor Fashola who spoke at the St Saviours Anglican Church in Marina, venue of the 3rd Session of the 30th Synod meeting of the Lagos Diocese of the Anglican Church thanked the religious leaders for standing to be counted during period of challenges such as the last industrial action embarked upon by teachers in the state where their mediatory role contributed to the resolution of the dispute.

The Governor assured religious leaders that the present administration does not pretend to have all the solutions to the problems confronting the nation but would be receptive to better suggestions on the way forward adding that “our doors remain open to your suggestions and we are flexible to change”.

He reiterated that the Church has always acted as the voice of caution, reason and advice for the society at all times when things seem not to be going right, saying the present crop of religious leaders have also been very helpful in the government’s tax drive measures.

He said it would amount to fighting a lost battle to want to separate religion from Government adding that from pre-modern times when empires were in place, religion and the state have always operated as a single unit and that the relationship is a permanent one.

The Lagos State Governor also said now that the empires have given way to democracies, the bond has remained with religion still playing an important role which has now been delegated to the judiciary.

Governor Fashola told the gathering that a clear manifestation of the alliance could be deduced from the fact that in modern day governance, any leader who is about to take office must take an oath which is usually in the form of the two main religions.

He underscored the necessity of his presence at the Synod by the fact that religious gatherings are events populated by people who have interests in so many areas of life and who are concerned about the promotion of good values in the society.

Governor Fashola emphasized that any head of government who gets invited to such occasion must view it with the seriousness it deserves as it provides an opportunity to reach out to members of the society who are also members and adherents of the various religions.

While congratulating the Anglican Communion for convocation of the Synod, he wished them a very fruitful deliberation.

Speaking earlier, the Bishop of the Lagos Diocese, The Right Reverend Ephraim Ademowo said the Governor has already surpassed the expectations of every optimist, urging other states to borrow a leaf from Lagos on how to provide responsible governance to the people.

Rt. Reverend Ademowo commended and prayed for Governor Fashola (SAN) for changing the face of Lagos adding that he would personally lead the campaign to convince the Governor to have a go at a second term in office.

The Clergyman who recounted the various programmes which have been put in place by the present administration such as the introduction of the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT), the beautification and greening of Lagos as well as the decongestion of Oshodi said now is the time to rally support for the Governor for the task ahead.

He urged the Federal Government to assist the State Government in its quest to maintain the infrastructure left behind in the state when the Federal Capital was moved to Abuja saying Lagos should not be left alone to bear the burden.

Reverend Ademowo said he felt emboldened to campaign on behalf of the government for the people to pay their taxes because as a good example he pays his taxes regularly which is deducted from source by the Diocese just as it does for other Clergymen in the Diocese.

The Archbishop later presented an Episcopal Award for Excellence in Service to Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) in recognition of his service to Lagos State

Those present at the event include the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, His Grace Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, the Lord Chancellor of the Lagos Diocese, Hon Justice George Oguntade and clergymen from all the Dioceses under the Lagos Diocese which clocked 90 this year.