By Miriam Ndikanwu
Thenation
Every new year, the Lagos State Government holds a prayer session to thank God for the year and His mercies. It has become a tradition to hold this interdenomination service to which the cream of society is invited. Clerics from the various denominations officiate at the event. This year’s service was held last Sunday at the Ikeja House, Alausa. The expansive field in the premises where the event was held was filled.
Leading the dignitaries was the host Governor Babatunde Fashola; assisted by his wife, Abimbola.
In attendance were former Governor Bola Tinubu, Deputy Governor Sarah Sosan, former Governors Lateef Jakande, Ndubuisi Kanu; Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria Chief Henry Ajomale; Senator Olorunimbe Mamora; Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas; Chief Rasak Akanni Okoya; Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye; members of the state Executive Council and local government chairmen, among other dignitaries.
The service started about 5pm when the guest minister and General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, arrived at the venue with Fashola, Tinubu and a few other dignitaries.
Bible lessons were read by Mrs Abimbola Fashola; Princess Sosan; the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Inumidun Akande, and the Deputy Speaker, Tola Badmus-Olujobi.
Special prayers were offered for Fashola, religious harmony, successful and peaceful outcome of the general elections.
The various choral groups from various parishes of the RCCG, Day Star, and House on the Rock, as well as Blessings and the Boys among others put up spectacular performances. They added colour to the celebration as they rendered songs to the admiration of the audience.
In his sermon, Pastor Adeboye said there was the need to give thanks to the Almighty God for sparing our lives to cross over to a new year.
He buttressed his point with some tragedies that happened last year, adding:“Those of us still living were kept by His mercy and not because we are better than those who lost their lives in the unfortunate incidents.”
He said the irony of it all is that some people consider their situation as most critical. What they fail to realise is that their situation is still better than that of other people.
Pastor Adeboye said God Almighty has remained faithful to Nigeria over the years by ensuring that evil doers do not triumph over the country.
Earlier, Fashola sued for peace and brotherly co-existence among residents.
The governor said while the different modes of worship distinguish people, it should never divide them or sever the common bond of humanity that is represented by the fact that they share the same water, hospitals, market and ride the same buses.
“Our consumption of meat, the giving and taking of money, transfusion of blood for medical emergencies are not distinguished by religious distinctions. Our drinking of water is blind to our faith,’’ he said.
He reiterated that religious preferences are matters of choice and freewill which the Creator gave to all mankind without conditions.
He listed some of the ways by which humanity can be promoted as renewing and enriching those values that promote the dignity of man and avoiding those that diminish man.
“We must seek to enjoy life and its pleasures with restraint on one hand and plenty of love at every time. By love, I mean respect and care, compassion, empathy and values of that type.
“It is the abundance of such values that will enrich our state and nation. They will transform our electoral processes from a do-or-die affair to a legitimate expression of desire for public service and leadership of God’s people.
“It is the abundance of such values that will reduce the incidence of insecurity that is characterised by the kidnapping of adults and children in desperation for money, an act that diminishes us as a people. It is the abundance of those values that will make us better followers of our leaders and invest us with the prerequisite moral platform to challenge their shortcomings,” he declared.
Prominent among the officiating ministers were:Prelate of the Methodist Church Dr Sunday Makinde; Anglican Archbishop of Lagos Diocese Rev Ephraim Ademowo; the General Overseer of the Foursquare Gospel Church, Rev Felix Meduoye; Pastor Taiwo Odukoya; Rev Mercy Ezekiel; Pastor Paul Adefarasin; Rev Sam Adeyemi and Prophet S.K. Abiara.
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