Let Nigeria’s Diversity Remain Its Strength -LASG

As the Muslim faithful in Nigeria join their counterparts across the world to celebrate this year’s Eid-el–Fitr, the Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday called on Nigerians to utilize its unique diversity as a major strength for nation building.


Fashola, who fielded questions from newsmen shortly after observing Eid-al-Fitr prayers at Dordan Barracks Praying ground located in Obalende area of the state, urged Nigerians to allow the love that flowed in the country during the Ramadan period to be sustained.

“The graceful and special month of Ramadan has come to a very glorious end. My message would be that the love, the concern, the brotherhood, the peace with which we related before and during Ramadan in particular should continue.

“The peaceful co-existence, the respect and tolerance we have for our diversity, the way we have used our diversity to create strength, to prosper our lives are the ingredients that we need for continued nation building, and I urge all Nigerians irrespective of faith, irrespective of ethnic origins, to continue to live peacefully in Lagos, knowing that this is home and they are all welcomed to do that and respect each other’s belief, respect each other’s sensibility.

“In that tolerance we can really harness the diversity that God has blessed us with to develop a better state and a much more prosperous nation,” he said

In his sermon the Chief Imam of Lagos Sheikh Garba Akionola Ibrahim urged Nigerians to shun all forms of violence and embrace love and respect for one another.

“During the month of Ramadan, all evil things before Allah were avoided; now that the month of Ramadan has passed away, we should not go back to the evil deeds,” he said.