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Dame Abimbola Fashola (4th R), Gov. Babatunde Fashola SAN (M), Pastor Enock Adejare Adeboye CON (4th L), Mrs Folu Adeboye (3rd R), others.
Dame Abimbola Fashola (4th L), Gov. Babatunde Fashola SAN (3rd L), Pastor Enock Adeboye CON (2nd L), Mrs Folu Adeboye (4th R), others.Jan 8, 2012 - Lagos 2012 Thanksgiving: Lagos First Family Joins Eminent Lagosians To Pray For Peace
Lagos State First Lady, DAME Abimbola Fashola joined her husband, Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and other eminent Lagosians to pray for peace in the country at the annual thanksgiving service organised by the state Government on Sunday.
The annual thanksgiving service, where the General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye preached in the last 12 years, also had in attendance Pastor Sam Adeyemi of the Day Star Church, His Eminence, Ola Makinde, Rev. Mercy Ezekiel and other men of God.
Shortly after the First Lady read the Bible, the Mr. Fashola (SAN) recalled the faithfulness and blessings of God towards the state in the past years, while adding that it was important to begin the New Year with thanks giving to God despite the looming challenges ahead.
He said, "In our meeting of thanksgiving today, I want to urge all of us who are here and those who are not here to know that vengeance does not belong to us. This is the ground upon which I recall parts of my address last year where I stated that it is our humanity that binds us more deeply than our faith or ethnic identity. Our humanity is represented by the bonds of blood, food, water and brotherhood that we share".
He condemned the recurrent violence and senseless killing in the northern parts, stressing that every Nigerians owed it a duty to do something and prevent future occurrence of such violence.
He stressed the need for religious tolerance adding that negative differences must never find a place in the state and the country.
"I am convinced that in the same way that our offering or thanksgiving last year was accepted by God, this year's thanksgiving, we will find favour with our Creator and he will accept and reward it with His own unquantifiable might and presence".
"Yes, there are challenges, but I believe that within those challenges lie inherent opportunities. I have always tried to see my glass as half full rather than half empty. I urge us all to do the same, if we do, maybe, it is possibe to see another side of our challenges as I have tried to see them".
In his Sermon, Pastor Adeboye encouraged attendees to praise God for the gift of life in spite of all the challenges facing the nation. He called on people to move closer to God.
He said, "To live a good life, especially in Nigeria today, we need God."
He also took time to pray for the nation and for peace to reign in all parts of the country.
The occasion was witnessed by Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Speaker of the State House of Assembly and his wife Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, former Governors of Lagos State. Admiral Mobolaji Johnson , Ndubuisi Kanu and Lateef Jakande, the State Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Chief Dele Ajomale and members of the state executive council.