Press Releases

Fashola To Lagosians: Know Your Neighbour
…as he meets with religious leaders and heads of security formations

Jul 4, 2012 - Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Wednesday presided over a meeting with religious leaders and heads of security formations in the State, stressing that there is a need for everyone to be increasingly vigilant.

The Governor who spoke in an interview with State House Correspondents after the meeting held at Lagos House, Marina said there is a need for everyone to know his neighbours and also ask questions.

"If we do all of these and you know those are the real first sides of safety and security. We have taken many things for granted for a long time and that really is the essence of the meeting. Know your neighbor, ask questions, don't take anything for granted. If you are in doubt, call law enforcement and use the 767 and 112 numbers. Really that is the message", the Governor said.

Also speaking with newsmen after the meeting, the State Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN), Bishop George Amu, said the bottom line was that everyone was advised to try and tell their members to know their neighbours, adding that everybody must be conscious about happenings in their environment.

"If you know your neighbor, strange persons cannot come to your neighbourhood without you noticing it. We were told that for every action, there is a consequent reaction and that whatever we sow we shall reap. The security of Lagos State is our joint concern. The Governor was straightforward in telling us that we should be careful, watchful and observant", Bishop Amu explained.

While also speaking, the Chief Missioner of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdulrahaman Ahmad said the Governor convened the meeting to brief the religious leaders on efforts being made to ensure that Lagos State remains secure.

Said he: "Like you know it, it is the responsibility of the government to ensure security. The meeting just underscores the need for us to be vigilant, to know who our neighbours are and to continue to tell our followers who are Muslims and Christians to keep the peace", adding that it is only in an atmosphere of peace that the state can have development.

The Chief Imam of Oriwu Central Mosque in Ikorodu, Sheikh Yahaya Ajagbemokeferi who also spoke with newsmen after the meeting said: "What is left for the religious leaders who attended the meeting is to ensure that just as the Governor has done his part by convening the meeting, it is compulsory for the leaders to relay the message to their followers and consider how to go about it so that no one will have cause to regret in Lagos State at all".

Sheikh Ajagbemokeferi who expressed gratitude to God for providing the State with a leader like Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) who is highly interested in his people said the Governor called the meeting to discuss ways the menace of armed robbery and insecurity could be tackled so that no one would have cause to regret coming to Lagos State.

The Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre, Reverend Sam Adeyemi who was also at the meeting said there is a need for every citizen of Lagos State to know their neighbour, adding that people without addresses should not just be allowed to roam the streets in the State.

He added that they constitute a security threat and there was a need to create awareness about the emergency numbers that the state has, stressing that all the religious leaders who attended the meeting did agree that they have a role to play more than everything else and that it is God who keeps everyone safe and secure.

He explained that the State Governor also used the meeting to appraise the leaders of plans in the offing to keep improving things in Lagos State, adding that the Governor made the religious leaders see the role they should play in ensuring that the state is safe.

"A whole lot what is happening in the country has to do with the choices we make as individuals and the choices we make are influenced by our values and in shaping those values", Reverend Sam Adeyemi added.

Lagos State Police Commissioner, Mr Umaru Manko who was one of the security chiefs at the meeting also spoke with newsmen saying the high point of the meeting is that everybody needs to be cautious and be security conscious.

Mr Manko added that the meeting centred around security consciousness in Lagos State and why people have to participate in ensuring that Lagos State is secured.

The meeting was attended by religious leaders including the Chief Imam of Lagos, Alhaji Ibrahim Garba Akinola, the Baba Adinni of Lagos, Sheikh Abuduhafeez Abou, the Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Reverend Sam Ola Makinde, the Archbishop of the Anglican Province of Lagos, Reverend Eprahim Ademowo amongst several others.