The Diocesan Bishop of Egba (Anglican Communion), The Right Revd. Emmanuel Adekunle, has told the governor-elect of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, not to disappoint the people of the state by building on the legacies of his predecessors in office.
He gave the admonition in his charge presented at the First Session of the 15th Synod of the Diocese with the theme “The Anglican Church Ministry: Maintenance or Mission,” in Abeokuta, over the weekend.
The cleric submitted that the people of the state are highly expectant of the “new wonders” his administration would perform in becoming the leading state in relation to development in the country.
He urged Abiodun not to abandon any uncompleted projects initiated by the outgoing government in the interest of the state and its people.
The Bishop said: “You are the God’s choice and that of the people, for now, ensure that the state is left better than the way you are meeting it now. All your predecessors from the inception of Ogun State in 1976 have performed excellently in the areas of education, industry, health, agriculture, other physical developments and infrastructures.
“You have to strive to exceed their performances. You have to try and put all your acumen and dexterity to play in governing this state, allow for participation in the governance and let people’s voices count as per provision of amenities and community-based projects.
“Government is continuum, you cannot afford to abandon any uncompleted project initiated by your immediate predecessor and people are waiting for new sets of wonders you will perform as per inscribing ineradicably Ogun State on the map of the world in relation to development, advancement and become the leading state in Nigeria in every facets of life,” he added.
He commended the outgoing governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, for his efforts in rebuilding the state saying “you are leaving behind indelible marks on the sand of time. You will be remembered for many generations to come and it is hoped that posterity will judge you right.”
He blamed the Church for evil practices among the youth in the country, and also the family for not inculcating good virtues in them.
“We cannot pass the buck of these evil practices to the government again but they are signs of our failure in the church, the erosion of right family virtues and the degradation in the society’s mores and values.
“The Church has not been crying (preaching) against evil but instead praise-singing the fraudulent members that would donate big amount towards the projects in the church; the parents and adults in our family compounds are no more particular about the sources of income of their children or what businesses they are involved in, but celebrating the kinds of house or car or affluence the wards can display,” the Bishop said further.
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