Akinwunmi Ambode – Naija Gospel Radio

Ambode Praises Church for Community Development

Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has praised the General Superintendent and members of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry for its contributions toward community development and improvement of the quality of life of the people of the state.

Ambode, who spoke last week at the commissioning of multiple projects executed by the church in the Gbagada area of Lagos, commended the church for mobilizing millions of its members across the world towards making life more meaningful for members of the community that live around its headquarters.

Represented by the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Olawale Olowu, the governor said Deeper Life has by those projects demonstrated its willingness, not only towards the spiritual upliftment of its members, but also on the quality of life of the people, irrespective of religious inclinations.

The General Superintendent of the church, Pastor William F. Kumuyi, said the church was deeply concerned about the comfort of the people of the communities where it is located, hence its decision to embark on the projects.

Kumuyi acknowledged the giant strides the state government under Ambode, saying the governor has been tirelessly working towards renewing the mega city of Lagos.

“This has immensely endeared him to the teeming population. What we have done is only a token of support in the drive to ensure there is a collective contribution towards the collective aspiration of the people of this great State for a city of comfort that we all will be proud of.”

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Ambode Extols Religious Groups

Lagos state Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has extolled the contributions of religious groups in the State to the development of the State, describing the spiritual leaders as great partners and pillars in the effort to bring greater progress to the State and increased prosperity to its citizens.

Ambode made this known when he met all religious leaders at an Inter-Faith Parley held at Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday, December 12, 2017.

He commended the religious leaders for their roles in ensuring the sustainability and promoting peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance in the state, which had greatly aided government’s efforts in the delivery of services and dividends of democracy to the people especially those at the grassroots.

He maintained that the gathering was sort of Thanksgiving for the mercy and blessing of God that has created atmosphere of harmony,making it possible to bring greater gains to the people and to appreciate the spiritual leaders for their roles in ensuring peace in Lagos and to fine-tune existing strategies and harmonious relationship already prevailing among Lagosians.

“I thank you all for your ceaseless prayers and for all the spiritual efforts through the power of the pulpits and for sensitizing your followers to follow the path of civility and do that which is lawful. The commendations and awards the State government received from the National Hajj Commission and the Christian Conscience Group are all testimonial to your efforts and conduct as very understanding and tolerant believers,” he said.

Ambode reiterated that spiritual leaders should continue to pray for the State as the achievements of his administration in the past two years was largely due to the harmonious living among all the religious bodies in the State.

“What I know is that regardless of how intellectually sound a leader might be, if spiritual teamwork needed to create a platform for the brain to work is in disarray, there is nothing that can be achieved.”

Lagos to Conduct Census on Religious Centres

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has directed the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) to conduct a census of religious centres across the state.

Ambode gave the directive while inaugurating 798 members of the NIREC appointed for the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas in Lagos.

The governor who was represented by Dr AbdulHakeem Abdul-Lateef, the Commissioner for Home Affairs at the inauguration told the apointees,

“One of the core functions you are going to discharge is the collation of religious institutions at the local government level.

“You must ensure that you compile a list of all churches, all mosques, all faith-based organisations and forward same to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

“I must also urge you to work closely with the local government chairman and all other officials at the local government level. You are working directly with NIREC at the state level.

“Always make sure that you relate any matter that is beyond your capacity to the state NIREC and through the state NIREC, it will get to my office as the governor of Lagos State.

“Your meetings will hold quarterly and I urge you to have extra-ordinary meetings in cases of emergencies.

“I urge you to cooperate with the local government officials and do your best to promote peace and orderliness at the local government level.”

Speaking, the co-chairman (Christian) of the state NIREC, Dr Israel Akinadewo, remarked that religious leaders must continue to educate their followers, especially the vulnerable ones at the grassroots.

“A Christian leader is a Christian whose actions and in actions are not only Christ-like but serves as a good example to younger Christians.

“Also in a country like Nigeria and irrespective of what they do for a living, many people are majorly Christians and Muslims.

“Within the NIREC, the people respect the opinions of their leaders, who they refer to as the representatives of God.

“Hence their views on any matter are taken very seriously. Religious leaders should not encourage wars, hatred and vengeance.

“They are to be firm in the discipline of any of their followers who take steps that work contrary to Godly teachings,’’ Akinadewo said.

Earlier, the Co-Chairman (Muslim) of the state NIREC, Dr Tajudeen Yusuf, said the inauguration of the council at the local government level was a proactive step taken by the government.

The State Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr Muslim Folami, commended Ambode for running a community-based government of inclusion by bringing governance down to the grassroots.

Folami said that by taking the NIREC activities to the grassroots, it would be easier for government to nip any crisis in the bud.

Fourteen persons, comprising seven Muslims and seven Christians each, were appointed into the NIREC in the 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs in the state.