Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has encouraged residents of Lagos, as well as Nigerians nationwide, to capitalize on the positive impact of the naira’s appreciation against the dollar by lowering the prices of goods and services across the country.
Sanwo-Olu gave the charge during the Combined Special Prayers for Nigeria and President Bola Tinubu, in Commemoration of Easter and Ramadan Celebrations, as well as 72 birthday of Mr. President, organised by the state Ministry of Home Affairs, at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Friday.
Sanwo-Olu, urged Nigerians and Christians in particular to reflect on the sacrifice and love that Jesus Christ showed to mankind through His crucifixion and resurrection.
During the Combined Special Prayers, Christian and Muslim clerics prayed for President Tinubu, who clocked 72 on Friday.
They also prayed for Nigeria, Governor Sanwo-Olu, his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hazmat; Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa; Head of Service, Mr. Olabode Agoro, Chief of Staff, Tayo Ayinde, executive, legislative, and judiciary arms of government, as well as civil servants and residents
According to him, “This needs to reflect in our markets, Naira is getting stronger, better and it needs to reflect in the cost of services.
“People cannot continue to give reasons while it went up and now that it’s coming down, it also needs to reflect in the cost of rice, beans tomatoes and that is the message for all of us because we want to be our brothers keepers.
“We want to ensure that the suffering of the people is brought to an end.”
Sanwo-Olu, who commended President Tinubu for his visionary leadership, said, “We are beginning to see the benefits of his visionary leadership.
“My wish is for all of us to enjoy the season, to be as peaceful as always, to do things in moderation and ensure that we maintain the sanctity, peace and tranquility that Lagos is known for.
“We just finished our Easter prayers, which coincided with the birthday of the President.
“We have offered prayers and we wish him all the very best.
“I also want to wish all Lagos residents, in all of our Christian faith, a Happy Easter celebration.
“We have just ended the Christian Lenten service, I believe that it’s been a worthy journey for all our brothers and sisters, who had gone to ask for strengthening of our faith, our country, and coincidentally, it’s the 19th day of the Ramadan.”
According to Sanwo-Olu, “Everything around prayers and supplications are working for our good.
“It’s also a time for us to thank Lagos residents for their patience, understanding in all the various areas of interventions that we have put forward, including health, public transportation, food and security, and ensuring that we are about bringing out solutions to the economic pressure that we see.
“It’s the beginning to turn around. That’s what we said a couple of weeks ago that there’s nothing that is difficult that will last forever.
“Even at the national level, a naira that we all thought that would never rebound is becoming stronger, it’s gaining weight and becoming a lot more of the currency that we all appreciate.
“You can even see from the policies that the Federal Government is bringing out. naira savings is now the order of the day.”
Also, a group loyal to President Tinubu, The Mandate Group, in Lagos All Progressives Congress, APC, organised a prayer session for the good health and succes of the Presidehnt’s administration, as well as progress of Nigeria against all odds.
The prayers session was held at Number 7, Oduduwa Way, formerly Lagos House, off Isac-John Street,Ikeja GRA, led by Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, Cardinal James Odumbaku, Senator Ganiyu Olarenwaju Solomon, among other notable APC leaders.
Party faithful thronged the event in their large number amid tight security.
Obasa, who spoke onbehalf of the group, explained that the prayers became necessary to support Mr. President spiritually in achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration in revamping and transforming the battered economic, insecurity situations of the country.
According to him, “Tinubu requires our prayers for him to succeed in the onerous task of restoring the battered Nigeria’s economy from crashing amidst harsh criticisms.
