Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged Nigerians to be hopeful, assuring that ongoing efforts to improve the economy will soon yield results.

Sanwo-Olu said the efforts would eventually improve the well-being of all Nigerians.

The governor said this at a Special Jumat service organised to commemorate the 64th National Independence Day Celebration at the Lagos State Secretariat Community Central Mosque in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos State on Friday, September 27, 2024.

Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, emphasised the importance of hope, stating that citizens should not succumb to despair.

He said the government was actively implementing plans to address the nation’s challenges.

The governor stated: “As a people, we cannot afford to be hopeless. We must be optimistic because there is a plan in place.

“We can discuss the merits of that plan, but the key point is that there is a strategy aimed at ensuring the economic stability of the country.

“We are a nation that imports significantly and is in the process of building infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, and more.

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“It’s essential to maintain our economic stability. A plan exists, and without it, we face real problems.”

Sanwo-Olu expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, citing ongoing plans and the importance of vision in ensuring the nation’s progress.

He urged Nigerians to focus on facts in public discourse, warning that negative commentary could hinder national development despite the country’s intellectual potential.

“We must address why our country sometimes seems stagnant, even though Nigerians excel globally,” the governor added.

Sanwo-Olu also lamented the decline of communal values, attributing it to a shift towards Western lifestyles.

The governor appealed to parents to prioritise their roles in instilling values and urged religious leaders to assist in mending the fabric of family units through impactful sermons.

Also speaking, the Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Kazeem Alogba, urged Nigerians to exercise patience.

Alogba said: “Allah has blessed the country with a good and God-fearing president with noble intentions.

“Our current challenges resemble a deteriorating building in need of major rehabilitation, so patience is essential.”

The Chief Imam of the mosque, Dr Issa Abdul-Mujeeb, in his sermon, called for a collective mindset reform and the necessity of prayer for a better Nigeria.

The Star