Sanwo-Olu Prays For Direction And Advancement As Tinubu Takes His Oath Next Month

Ahead of next month's democratic transition, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led a special prayer session for the incoming administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday, pleading for a peaceful transfer of power and the country's advancement.

Sanwo-Olu also dedicated his second tenure to God and prayed for divine guidance in addressing the challenges facing Lagos.

During the annual Ramadan Lecture organized by Lagos lesser Hajj pilgrims in Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Governor was represented by Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the Deputy Governor.

Chief Judge of Lagos, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba, Commissioner for Home Affairs, Hon. Anofiu Elegushi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Affairs, Hon. Abdullahi Ahmad, chairman of Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Prince Rabiu Oluwa, and Chairman of Lagos Muslim Pilgrim Board, Alhaji AbdulGafar Mofasaiye attended the event.

Hamzat stated that Makkah remained the focal point for Muslims, noting that Muslim pilgrims from Lagos used the spiritual pilgrimage as an opportunity to pray for the nation, Lagos, and their fellow compatriots.

He stated, "We believe prayers have helped us achieve our goals and maintain our unity." In Lagos, we typically dedicate all of our endeavors to prayer, and God willing, things have been going quite well for us."

Hamzat referred to Tinubu's victory in the last general election as a "answered prayer" for Nigerians, emphasizing that the former Lagos State Governor had comprehensive plans for enhancing the living conditions of Nigerians. However, he urged Nigerians to be patient and provide the incoming administration with the necessary support to implement its programs and gratify the voters' desires.

He stated, "We are not claiming that all of our problems will be addressed the day Tinubu assumes leadership next month, but his plans will redefine governance and alter the country's development narrative. We are here to pray for guidance, sustenance, sagacity, and health so that he may lead our nation's affairs. As citizens, we must be patient and recognize that governance is a process; we must allow the government the latitude to articulate its priorities and meet the aspirations of the populace.

"The election is over, but there is still a great deal of pent-up anger that is primarily motivated by hatred. All of us must soothe our frayed emotions and embrace one another. We are all equal in the eyes of God and the law. We have been projecting tolerance in Lagos as a state, and we will continue to do so. Without harmony, progress is impossible."

Prof. Wale Paramole stated in his lecture based on Surat An-Naml (Quran 27: 15-19) that Muslims must always remember the mercy of Allah over their affairs by continually expressing gratitude to the Almighty through the institution of prayers and by adhering to Allah's commandments.

He said, "On the Day of Judgment, only Ibadah (regular prayers and good deeds) will have any value." He was referring to the fact that hardships and afflictions were brought upon those who never expressed gratitude to Allah.