Speeches

Patriotic Christian Leaders Forum

Jun 11, 2009 - Your organization, the Patriotic Christian Leaders Forum (PCLF), wears three formidable caps, which touch on virtually every aspect of the society. These are: religious, political and social endeavours.

The love of country and compatriots as implied in its patriotic inclination is motivational and a source of inspiration and vision when expressed with love, charity and sacrifice, three cardinal principles of Christianity, on which any genuine leadership rests.

As an NGO with patriotic Christian leaders drawn from different sects and denominations, the Patriotic Christian Leaders Forum, has a great duty and a role to serve as a platform for the participation of its members in the social and political growth and development of the state and the country.

Ten years after the return of democracy to the country, we are still to get basic things working. The challenges before our nation go beyond the present socio-economic problems. To my mind, the issue of right leadership is pivotal to our socio-economic, political and moral rejuvenation. As leaders from various sectors, the question I would pose to you is that what kind of leader are you? What role are you playing in returning our nation to the path of moral rectitude? As individuals, it is time we come out of our comfort zone to get engaged in national solutions to our national problems. All hands must therefore be on deck to find creative answers to the myriad challenges facing our people and country. Your organization should continue to mobilize and sensitize your constituency to this call to national duty.

Permit me to commend the leaders of this forum for their foresight and vision to harmonize views and harness the aspirations of their people to participate in the great work to grow and develop our country. Since the formation of the organization, you have contributed immensely to society harmony and provided leadership to your flock. This is commendable and worthy of praise. That is why I identify with your intention and urge you to keep the flag flying.

Your decision to bestow award on eminent Christian leaders and install patrons and matrons of this forum is equally commendable.

Let me therefore, urge all the awardees, patrons and matrons to see the award as a vote of confidence on their capacity and ability and also as a reminder to further service and work for their community. That way, they would be serving as role models to the upcoming generations and be complementing government’s efforts at ensuring sanity, security and growth in the State.

The call for support of government initiatives and programmes cannot be overemphasized. Just last month, we began sensitization programmes at designated centers in the State to educate our religious leaders on the need for all their workers to pay their taxes regularly to complement the efforts of the present administration in making Lagos a prosperous Mega City. It is our collective responsibility to act as catalysts in the realization of the vision of government to make us all beneficiaries of the dividends of democracy.

Moreover, our administration has maintained cordial harmonious relationship with all our religious organizations without discrimination or favour. And we shall continue to do so to ensure the continued peaceful co-existence in Lagos State.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, let me once again state that the administration of a State like ours should not be seen as the absolute responsibility of government alone. Every individual should therefore, contribute his or her quota to make the State a viable one by joining hands with government to improve quality of life. We must ensure regular payment of our taxes and obey all the laws promulgated by the State.

Before I conclude my address, let me congratulate all the awardees for their contributions to the peace and progress of Lagos State and indeed Nigeria. Let me most sincerely thank the PCLF for the honour bestowed on my darling wife as Grand Matron of your forum. I urge all recipients to continue rendering services to the community and see the award and installation as a call to total re-dedication to duty in their aspiration towards contributing to the progress and development of Lagos State.

Once again, I congratulate the organizers of this event, the President, Secretary and the entire membership of the organization on the success of this occasion.

Thank you for listening and God bless.

Eko O Ni Baje O!

Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN),
Executive Governor,
Lagos State