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Bola Badmus – Lagos
PRELATE Emeritus of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Rev. Sunday Makinde, has said the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, was elected to rebuild Nigeria, raise Nigeria to enviable heights and re-establish the peace and unity in the country.
The cleric said this on Wednesday at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Ikeja, during a special thanking service to celebrate Tinubu’s 71st birthday, declaring the former Lagos State governor’s election into the highest office in the land was destined for purpose.
Makinde congratulated Asiwaju Tinubu on his victory at the poll and celebration of his birthday, while also appreciated God for him, saying his antecedents in private and public life had prepared him for this assignment he had been elected to perform.
“On behalf of all Christians in Lagos State, I congratulate Asiwaju Tinubu because it is a dual celebration – his 71th birthday and electoral victory. We also thank God who has made him a winner.
“Asiwaju’s antecedents in private and public life has prepared him for this assignment, he has been elected for this purpose to rebuild Nigeria just as he rebuilt Lagos. God has chosen him to raise Nigeria to enviable heights,” he said.
The cleric, however, urged the president-elect to focus on certain aspects of the polity which needed urgent attention, saying that these including assembling team of ministers, advisers and ambassadors, ensuring religious unity, abundance of social amenities, among others.
“I will advise Tinubu to choose his team of ministers, advisers and ambassadors under divine prayers, he should consult God before man. He should use the best brains and professionals, even from the opposition parties, to actualise his dreams of a better Nigeria.
“Another area of importance is religious unity, Tinubu must work on achieving religious tolerance, ethnic and tribal unity.
“He must ensure there is abundance of social amenities -water, electricity, educational and medical rehabilitation, agricultural revolution and development, and ensure massive job creation to reduce unemployment and brain drain,” Makinde said.
He, however, sought ardent prayers for Asiwaju Tinubu for “divine wisdom, robust good health, victory over his enemies, and for him to finish his terms successfully.”
The cleric, while congratulating Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, said their re-election was possible because of their hard work and people-oriented programmes.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who represented by his Chief of Staff (CoS), Mr. Tayo Ayinde, praised God for Tinubu’s life, and prayed that the visionary leader would be strengthened to bring about development and programmes that would uplift the people.
Sanwo-Olu said the occasion was an auspicious one to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Asiwaju Tinubu whom he described as a great man, a visionary, and transformative leader.
The governor, while congratulating the president- elect on the occasion and wishing him many more years in good health, happiness and above all God’s mercies, noted that Asiwaju Tinubu was a pride to Lagos State “and a priceless global icon; an unrelenting fighter for democracy, an inextinguishable guiding light to the nation and an inspiration to me as well as the progressive’s family.”
“We give glory to God for answering all the prayers as evidenced in the declaration of the celebrant of today as President-elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“This prayer session is, therefore, not just to express our gratitude to God on Asiwaju’s birthday, but also to appreciate Him for the victory achieved in the last election.
“We also beseech the Almighty God, especially in this Lenten season, to strengthen him, grant him good health, wisdom, inspiration and all that he will require to accomplish all the laudable plans, programmes and policies that will uplift our dear country and all Nigerians to greatness,” Sanwo-Olu prayed.
Ayinde read the first lesson from Psalm 111: 1-10, while former Deputy Governor, Mr. Femi Pedro read from Luke 17:11-18.
The special birthday thanksgiving service was held simultaneously with a special prayer at the Alausa Central Mosque, attended by Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa; Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs. Folasade Jaji, among others.
The special thanksgiving was attended by officials from the private and public sector, cabinet members, party faithful as well as religious leaders across Nigeria, including Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop Stephen Adegbite; Governor Sanwo-Olu’s Special Adviser (Religion), Rev. Bukola Adeleke, among others.
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