Press Releases

Fashola At Anglican Synod, Calls For Restoration Of Value System In Society

May 3, 2010 - Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN ) on Monday called for a restoration of fundamental value system in the society which would engender the age old respect for human life.

Governor Fashola, who spoke at the opening ceremony of the First Session of the 31st Synod of the Anglican Church Diocese of Lagos held at the St Saviour’s Church, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos noted that there seems to have been a loss of innocence which has robbed the society of the traditional reverence for the dead and human life.

According to Governor Fashola, the rapid degradation of value system has led to a situation where everything seems fair in warfare and acts which were hitherto regarded as untouchable are now being embraced by many.

Inviting the religious leaders gathered to consider a deliberation on the society’s value system, Governor Fashola said no matter what was at stake, there should be certain acts to which people should be able to say no.

According to the Governor any society which adopts the end will justify the means doctrine will end up inflicting a deep value gap on its development process, adding that that is why some Nigerians seem to have accepted that all is fair in warfare.

The Governor said while Nigerians expect so much from the political leaders, a pertinent question should be asked if Nigerians have demonstrated the form of value driven followership which would make it possible to change what they do not want.

He noted that in Lagos , it was the demonstration of value added followership that resulted in the clearing of Oshodi as the residents only said no to what they do not like.

Governor Fashola said if the people change their value system, they can change what they do not like about their society.

The Governor said there is no basis for the occurrence of political differences which is being masqueraded as religious disagreements among the people because the people are too interconnected to have religious differences.

Emphasizing that there is a common humanity which binds everyone, Governor Fashola asked all those trying to create divisions along religious lines if they have succeeded in differentiating Moslem water from Christian water before they drink or possibly identify Moslem money from Christian money before spending.

While acknowledging the generous remarks about him and the administration, the Governor said accolades for successes recorded by the administration should go not only to the Cabinet members but the members of the public who invest the government with power.

Expressing his delight to be at the opening session of the Synod as he has done in the past , the Governor added that in the course of one of his past visits to the Church, he observed the durability of the church pews and bought the idea in terms of getting people who can manufacture durable benches and chairs for public schools in Lagos State.

The Governor said he has contacted many artisans who worked on the church pews and are already producing quality chairs and benches for pupils and teachers, reiterating that before the end of the year, no teacher or pupil in any public school in Lagos would be without a chair or desk to work with.

Speaking earlier, the Archbishop of the Ecclesiastic Province of Lagos, The Most Reverend Adebola Ephraim Ademowo commended Governor Fashola for raising Lagos to an enviable height.

He added that the pedigree and exposure of the Governor speaks volume about the way he is ensuring the completion of road construction projects, as well as rehabilitation of schools and public libraries.

He described Governor Fashola as a mentally alert and well focused leader who is an asset to Lagos State and Nigeria and urged the people to always pay their tax as at when due.

In his remarks, the President of the Synod, Rtd Justice George Oguntade (JSC) prayed for the success of Governor Fashola in office, revealing that though he was one of those who advised him against public office when he sought his advice, he has since withdrawn it based on his performance.

Justice Oguntade said in a democracy, no one is above criticism, but prayed that the Governor should not be scandalized by opponents.

He identified the problem with Nigeria as that of a country where law has broken down, adding that it is only those who do not have people to intervene on their behalf that come to court.

The event was attended by many ministers of God, elderstateman and Baba Eto of Lagos, Chief Folarin Coker, Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Mr Jide Sanwo Olu and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mrs Ranti Odutola among other dignitaries.