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

He said on Friday that the efforts would eventually improve the well-being of all Nigerians.

Mr Sanwo-Olu, represented by the deputy governor, Kadri Hamzat, said this during a special jumat service, organised to commemorate the 64th National Independence Day Celebration, at the Lagos State Secretariat Community Central Mosque, Alausa, Ikeja.

The governor emphasised the importance of hope, stating that citizens should not succumb to despair.

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

“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.

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

Mr Sanwo-Olu expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, citing ongoing workable 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,” he said.

He 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.

In his goodwill message, the Lagos state chief judge, Justice Kazeem Alogba, encouraged Nigerians to exercise patience.

“Allah has blessed the country with a good, God-fearing president with noble intentions.

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

Mr Alogba urged citizens to be thankful for their experiences, noting that many nations had faced far worse circumstances without achieving unity.

“We have every reason to remain hopeful,” he said.

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.

He highlighted the achievements of the country’s founding fathers in establishing a thriving nation and expressed hope for a similar transformation soon.

The cleric warned that continued negativity could spell doom for the future generations, to greater hardships.

Also, another Muslim cleric, Sahid Ahmad, urged citizens to uphold righteousness and faith in Allah as the means to effect positive change.

“At 64, Nigerians must keep the faith, act justly, and remain hopeful.

“It is through these actions that Allah will ease their fears and fulfil His promises.

“If the people maintain their faith and adhere to the righteous path, then all their perceived difficulties will transform into peace and tranquillity,” he said.

(NAN)