Sanwo-Olu says Lagos emerged 2020 stronger and better despite challenges
By Emmanuel Awosika
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the state emerged stronger and more confident from 2020 despite confronting the twin problems of the Covid-19 pandemic and the violence-marred #EndSARS protests.
He said this at the annual Lagos State Thanksgiving ceremony, which held on Sunday at the Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja.
Using a verse from the Bible, the governor said it was necessary to give God the glory as He had protected the state from being overwhelmed by its challenges.
“There is no doubt that when we cast our minds back and reflect deeply on all that transpired in the just concluded the year 2020, we would see very clearly that our God is indeed faithful and worthy of all our praise and our thanksgiving.
“Indeed, if it had not been for the Lord who was on our side, the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul. Our help is indeed in the name of the Lord, who made Heaven and Earth.
“As a State, we cannot but give unending praise to God, especially considering all the blows dealt with us last year. First, there was the Coronavirus pandemic, of which our dear State has been the national epicentre, and then there was the incalculable violence and destruction we suffered during the course of EndSARS protests hijacked protests in October 2020.
“Either one of these two tragedies could have completely disrupted and crippled our economy and existence, but we survived both of them. And we did not only survive, we triumphed, and we can look back and say that we emerged from 2020 stronger and more confident about the inherent greatness and resilience of our State.”
Describing the theme of this year’s Thanksgiving ceremony as “apt”, Sanwo-Olu said it was taken from Psalms 50 verse 23, which says,
“Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.”
“It is a very pertinent theme and message, as it speaks to the need for us to continually be appreciative of the wondrous works of the Lord. Now even more than ever before, God deserves our fullest gratitude.
“We are grateful not because everything has happened the way we would like it, but because in all things it is our responsibility to show gratitude.
“We have gone through a very difficult year, battled a pandemic, lost loved ones, lost valuable property, been deprived of enormous economic opportunity, but we have come out on the other side, alive and inspired to face the future with faith and positive expectation.”
The governor promised Lagosians a better 2021, saying they would witness many infrastructural development in the state.
Some of the dignitaries at the event include Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Pastor Enoch Adeboye of the Reedemed Christian Church of God; various chieftains of the All Progressives Peoples Congress; market leaders, and many more.
