True happiness of Lagosians remains my priority – Ambode

LAGOS State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, said the guiding principle of his administration since inception has always been the implementation of policies and programmes that would promote true happiness and make life simpler and more comfortable for the people of the state.

The governor made this remark on Wednesday while speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting with religious leaders held at Lagos House in Ikeja.

This was just as he announced that he had approved the establishment of NIREC offices in all the 57 Local Government and Local Council Development Areas of the state, adding that necessary machineries had been put in place towards the inauguration of the offices in January 2017.

He said all along, the state government under him, had worked assiduously to scale up the provision of vital infrastructures that would bring comfort to the people, stating that such remained a priority.

He urged religious leaders in the state to use the pulpit, mosque and other platforms to preach patience, perseverance and tolerance among Nigerians, and also pray for the success of not just his administration but the overall development of the state.

Governor Ambode, who said as the closest to the people, religious leaders were partners in the development of the state, urged them to use their God-given positions to positively influence the people to always do the right thing.

He commended religious leaders for their prayers and support for his administration and the state government, saying it was on record that Lagos has had the best level of religious tolerance in the country, and that it was a thing of joy that in spite of the challenges in the nation, God has continued to guide and direct the affairs of the state.

Governor Ambode, who recalled the role played by religious leaders since his emergence, said despite all odds, God in His infinite mercy, chose him as governor, and that as a person, he had decided only to do things that would please God and bring true happiness to the people.

“Since our last meeting, we have made remarkable progress in all spheres of the state economy. Majorly, we have achieved a year round peaceful coexistence amongst the various socio-religious groups in the state. We have also been able to record improvement in security of lives and property in the state.

“It is recorded that with your support and high level of understanding, Lagos State has had the best level of religious tolerance in the country. We must, however, not rest on our oars,” the governor said, urging religious leaders to use their various platforms to preach patience, perseverance and tolerance amongst the people.

While urging religious leaders to continuously preach to the youths to shun all forms of evil practices, the governor said it was important for them to impose it on residents to always fulfil their civic responsibilities to enable government to actualise its promises.

On efforts of government to encourage peaceful co-existence and harmonious relationship among people of different religions in the state, Governor Ambode said arrangement have been made to decentralize the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), which is a body set up to resolve all religious conflicts under the supervision of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The governor, who said the meeting is part of the engagement with strategic stakeholders, with the aim at ensuring continued peace and religious co-existence in the state, has assured that government would work harder in 2017 to scale up development, but maintained that religious leaders must keep their side of the bargain as the government alone cannot do it all.

In his presentation, Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. Samuel Emeka Uche, commended Governor Ambode for the stakeholders’ forum and infrastructural development of the state, saying that such forum was important for religious harmony.

“Since coming on board, there has never been armed robbery in my area and it used to happen a lot in the past. In fact, Governor Ambode has performed excellently in the areas of prompt payment of salaries and pension, healthcare delivery, security, social interaction and so on,” he said.

Also, the Imam and senior lecturer at the Department of Actuarial Science, University of Lagos, Dr. Tajudeen Yusuf, commended Governor Ambode for the 114 roads initiative, the Rent-To-Own Housing policy, prompt payment of salaries of workers, among others, but urged that more should be done with regards to inculcation of entrepreneurial skills on young ones right from primary school.

“Governor Ambode has brought true governance to the people. The Rent-To-Own policy for instance where quality houses can be got at much reduced prices is a good programme, among many other initiatives,” Yusuf said.

While lauding the governor for the meeting, Yusuf also urged religious leaders to always preach peace, love, tolerance and togetherness, among others.

Some of the revered clerics present at the meeting include Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Ephraim Ademowo; Lagos State Christian Association of Nigeria Chairman, Apostle Dr. Alex Bamgbola; Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Ibrahim Garuba Akinola; President, Muslim Community of Lagos State, Prof Tajudeen Gbadamosi, among others.