FIC REPORT (LAGOS STATE) – Lagos State Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has called on Nigerians to back their prayers for the country with responsible citizenship, hard work and a shared commitment to building a more united and prosperous nation, in an address delivered at a special Independence Thanksgiving Service marking Nigeria’s 66th anniversary of independence.
The service, held Sunday at the Chapel of Christ the Light in Alausa, Lagos, saw the Governor represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, who read remarks acknowledging that Nigeria’s journey since independence has carried both significant progress and difficult moments — even as the Governor insisted that the resilience of Nigerians remains one of the country’s greatest strengths.
Speaking to the service’s theme, “A Nation of Hope, Healing and Revival,” Sanwo-Olu framed the anniversary as an occasion for reflection as much as renewal, urging Nigerians to recommit to contributing to the country’s progress. He pointed to the nation’s youthful population, its creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, natural resources and capacity for innovation as evidence that Nigeria already possesses what it needs to build a stronger future.
He held up Lagos itself as proof of what purposeful leadership and collective effort can achieve, citing ongoing investments in transportation, education, healthcare, security, enterprise development and environmental sustainability as part of a sustained push to make the state more productive and liveable. But the responsibility for national renewal, he stressed, does not stop with government — citizens, faith-based organisations and other institutions all have roles to play in shaping the country’s future. He specifically urged people of faith to ensure their prayers are matched by actions that promote integrity, compassion, excellence and responsible citizenship.
Sanwo-Olu called for a renewed commitment to raising a generation that treats leadership as a responsibility and citizenship as a duty, arguing that true success should be measured not just by personal accomplishment but by the positive contributions individuals make to the wider society. He encouraged Nigerians to stay hopeful about the country’s future, insisting that today’s challenges should not be mistaken for the nation’s ultimate destiny, and set out a vision of a Nigeria where children can pursue their dreams freely, where diversity becomes a source of strength rather than division, and where citizens are bound together by shared purpose and common destiny.
He urged Nigerians to face the years ahead with faith, hope and courage, expressing confidence that the country can still achieve the future its people desire through collective commitment and sustained effort. “A new Nigeria is possible when our prayers are matched by our actions, our hopes are strengthened by our work, and our differences are transformed into a source of collective strength,” he said.
The service drew top government officials, Christian leaders, public servants and members of the congregation, gathered to offer prayers of thanksgiving for the nation and to seek divine guidance for its continued peace, progress and development.
Preaching at the service, Pastor Isaac Abiara called on Nigerians to embrace compassion, truthfulness and a renewed commitment to the nation’s future, urging citizens to look past individual interest and recognise their part in building a peaceful, just and prosperous Nigeria. Drawing his sermon from Isaiah 61:4, he spoke to the need to rebuild and restore the nation, stressing that renewal demands the collective effort of government, the Church and citizens alike, and calling on Nigerians to show greater love for one another, speak the truth and uphold the values that sustain unity, justice and responsible citizenship.
Abiara urged Nigerians to remain hopeful despite the challenges confronting the country, noting that rebuilding Nigeria must be approached with faith, integrity and purposeful action. The nation’s future, he said, can be secured once citizens commit to doing what is right and work together to restore the foundations of a better society for present and future generations.
Ojiugo Okameme
Assistant Chief Info & Public Relations Officer
29/9/2026
