Lagos State Governor Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, yesterday, urged Nigerians to pray for the betterment of the country and President Bola Tinubu to enable him to navigate through the difficult times.
He also called for patience amid Nigeria’s economic challenges, stating that Tinubu inherited a precarious situation.
Hamzat, who spoke during his 60th birthday celebration held at the Lagos State Secretariat Mosque, Alausa, Ikeja, acknowledged the masses’ suffering but expressed confidence that the current administration is working to improve the economy, citing global economic crises.
Meanwhile, the state’s governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described his deputy, Hamzat, as an incredible, outstanding Nigerian and a passionate leader.
Sanwo-Olu, who stated this at the event, said that Hazmat is a gift to Lagos State having served the state for about 20 years with loyalty, humility and a sense of intelligence worthy of emulation.
The governor said Hamzat is his elder brother and friend, and their relationship had been cordial since they met in 2005, praying that God would grant him his innermost heart desires.
He said the deputy governor was not just humble but an intelligent person who is passionate about good governance in the state, saying that many of his other colleague-governors often attest to his high intellectual capacity any time he has a reason to represent him during the National Economic Council (NEC) meetings.
Earlier, an Islamic cleric, Sheikh AbdulRahman Lawal, called on parents to train their children in the path of God and to lead their children by example for the society to be a better place devoid of moral decadence.
Lawal also said that training of children could be divided into three stages between birth and age seven, age seven and 14 and age 14 and 21.
He said that parents needed to be close to their children at every stage of their lives.
Also, an Associate Professor at the Lagos State University, Dr Sheikh Zaheed Timehin, who spoke on ‘Showing gratitude to Allah in relation to our communal interaction’, said only those who appreciated God show gratitude.
He noted that the deputy governor is what he is today due to the foundation laid by his parents but it does not take away the fact that the deputy governor took lessons from the teachings of his parents and did not depart from what he was taught.
He prayed for Kadril that his path and relationship with people and his associates would not be strained.
In an exhortation, Pastor Femi Faseru of the Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), Maryland, Lagos, challenged Hamzat to continue to make more sacrifices for Lagos and the nation.
He said Nigeria needed quality leadership and people with integrity and experience, urging the celebrant not to shy away from leadership.
He also implored him to be ready to make more sacrifices for the nation as it is not time to slow down on his commitment to a better Nigeria.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Maryam Bisi said that the deputy governor is a kind and compassionate person and also a blessing from God to the family.
The celebrant thanked all the guests for honouring him and his family.
