Since he came on board in 2015, Governor Ambode has not failed every New Year period to invite Lagosians both Christian and muslims and even people of other faith to join him at the state house to thank God for keeping everyone alive and for the progress made in the state.
With his wife Bolanle Ambode, they host thousands of Lagosians in a thanksgiving New Year service where they invite clerics, choirs and citizen to praise and worship God and thank him for a successful year. They also entertain guests and shares gifts of love.
Ambode, while speaking at the Annual Thanksgiving Service of the state government at the Lagos
House, Alausa, Ikeja, on Sunday, said God had been faithful to the state.
He noted that the protection from natural disasters, security of lives and property, continuous growth and development of the state and the global recognition of Lagos were all signs of God’s faithfulness.
“God has been very faithful to us in Lagos and that is why we dedicate every first Sunday of the year to give Him thanks and praise. Modest achievements and progress our state has recorded would not have been possible without His grace, guidance and divine favour,” he added.
The governor, who described the theme of the service, ‘Enter His Gates with Thanksgiving,’ taken from Psalms 100:4, as apt, said the service was for people to appreciate God for His blessings.
Ambode said as the nation prepared for elections in the year, Nigerians must pray for peace to facilitate continuity of development and good governance.
“Let us seek the face of God to grant us peaceful elections devoid of violence, so that Lagos, and indeed Nigeria, will continue to excel and experience continuity of development and good governance,” he said.
In his sermon, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God Worldwide, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, emphasised the need for people to continually appreciate God, saying it helped to complement prayers.
Adeboye, who was represented by his Special Assistant, Pastor Idowu Iluyomade, said thanksgiving could move God into action.
Among dignitaries at the service were the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; his wife, Dolapo; former governors of the state Brig. Gen. Mobolaji Johnson (retd.), Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Rr. Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (retd.); the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the state, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and leading Christian leaders in the state.
January 7, 2019 was not different. Rather it was bigger in the sense that it was his valedictory edition of that event.
He invited the Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo the incoming Governor of the state under APC, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu the General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye who was represented by a cleric etc.
Vice President Osinbajo led the dignitaries to the event as seen in these photo where Osinbajo with Ambode and wife praise God with all their strength and respect (in spirit and in the truth).
Oriwu Sun was at the event and captured these all photographs.
