Bishop of Lagos Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Ephraim Ademowo, on Monday lauded Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, for result-oriented policies and massive infrastructural renewal drive across the State, saying his re-election come 2019 is already a done deal.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the third session of the 33rd Synod of the Diocese held at Our Saviours Church, Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Ademowo said the excellent achievements of the governor in office in the last three years were visible to all, adding that his second term was already a foregone conclusion.
The respected clergyman, who is retiring soon, said: “We have talked about your (Governor’s) endorsement for second term last year and so it is a faith accompli; it is a done deal; it is not negotiable; it is not debatable.
“We are enthused, happy and excited. We want to appreciate you; we want to celebrate you; we want to thank God for the way God is using you in this State and beyond.
“We could see things for ourselves; the whole State has been opened up. Even where we have our retirement house, anytime I am in the vehicle, sometimes I don’t even know when we would get there because the road is now something else. I want to thank you for the great work that you are doing in this State and I want to assure you of our prayers,” Ademowo said.
The bishop described Governor Ambode as a workaholic, trailblazer and an indefatigable personality whose life of humility, doggedness and commitment to the growth of Lagos was unrivalled.
While urging members of the church to go all out to get their Permanent Voters Card (PVCs), he said it was important for them to do so in order to participate in the forthcoming general elections and elect the leaders of their choice.
“We know who we are voting for and so there is no perambulation; we know where we are going but we need to have our PVCs. Mummy and I will vote so all of us must ensure we get our PVCs to vote,” Ademowo said.
In his remarks, Governor Ambode said the country was at a critical time when all hands must be on deck to ensure the process of choosing leaders in 2019 resulted in sustainable growth and good governance for the people.
He said the season called for every stakeholder in the future of the Nigerian project, religious leaders inclusive, to rise up to be counted and make their voices heard especially on the need for people to get their PVCs and shun any act inimical to peace.
“We need to educate Nigerians on the need to participate in the political process through registration for the Permanent Voters Card (PVC). Your PVC is the instrument and the power every eligible citizen has to express themselves in choosing the leaders in whose hands they wish to entrust the resources and the future of our country.
“The church and indeed all our religious leaders have a critical role to play especially at this point in time to place special emphasis on the message of hope, peace, brotherliness, unity, integrity and tolerance.
“We must shun all tendencies that could aggravate whatever challenges we might be experiencing at the moment because these are only temporary. We shall surmount them and our nation shall become great again, by the Grace of God and through our own hard work and prayers,” Governor Ambode said.
