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Tayo Olanipekun
Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has said prayers by religious leaders protected the state when Nigeria went through economic recession as Lagos instead witnessed economic boom at the time.
He stated this at the 2018 Annual Thanksgiving Service by the state government themed: ‘Ceaseless Praise.’
According to Governor Ambode, the state had never failed to thank God at the beginning of every year, aside seeking His face for blessings and “this has been very rewarding with the impact evident because of the progress being recorded in the state.”
Ambode said the result of putting God first ensured that while the entire country went through economic recession in addition to insecurity, Lagos enjoyed economic boom, peace and tranquillity.
This is why the state will continue to thank God and it had become an annual tradition to gather every first Sunday of the year to thank God, he added.
“In our usual tradition, we have gathered here again, on the first Sunday of the year, in thanksgiving and praise to God Almighty. We are gathered in acknowledgement of the supreme power of God in our affairs; as a state and as individuals because we know that it is not by our strength or good deeds but by His grace that we are witnesses to this New Year 2018.
“As a state, we have always called on God for guidance, protection and sustenance and He has always answered us. Our God will never fail us. He has never failed us and because of this we are entering the New Year with confidence and positive expectations.
“Since the inception of this administration, we have called on God at the beginning of the year and our prayers have been prophetic as He always granted our desires beyond our expectations. At a time when the nation was in recession, our state was experiencing economic growth and while there was insecurity in other places, Lagos remains calm and peaceful,” the governor said.
Ambode said the successes recored by the state is not as a result of what the government has done but by the special grace of God. He thus said all that was needed to be done was to continue to give Him praise and thanksgiving and God, in turn, would continue to bless and provide for Lagosians and the state.
“In this New Year, we submit to Him again and I am confident that irrespective of whatever is happening elsewhere, our state and all our people will continue to excel in peace, good health, prosperity, love and joy. God will continue to shower His blessings on us as a state and our families and homes will experience new and wonderful milestones by His grace.
“It is my prayer that as we come to His gates and courts with thanksgiving and with praises today, He will release His blessings upon us, guide and direct our path and lead us through the year successfully,” Ambode said.
