The governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, admitted that the country of Nigeria was going through a difficult period but claimed that both the federal and state governments were working to ameliorate the financial hardship.
However, the governor said that the economic slowdown was not unique to Nigeria but a worldwide phenomenon when making this comment at a Christmas Day service conducted at the St. James' Anglican Church, Iperu-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area.
“This year has been a tough year. It has been a tough period with fuel scarcity, the worst exchange rate, the high cost of living and many other challenges. One thing we should note is that the problem is not peculiar to only Nigeria alone but the world over. Everybody in the world is feeling the heat.
“All I can tell you is that the government is working to address this. All that I request from you is that you should have faith because faith is the assurance of things not seen but that will come to pass. With our renewed hope, come next year, there is light at the end of the tunnel, things will get better”, the governor assured.
Abiodun promised that his government will continue to uphold its campaign commitments by implementing the Infrastructure, Social Well-Being, Education, Youth Empowerment, and Agriculture (ISEYA) agenda, which is a collection of electoral pledges.
Additionally, he promised that his government will remain just, fair, and equitable to all citizens and regions of the state.
The governor listed more than 1,000 housing units and more than 400 kilometres of roads that had been built around the state as some of the accomplishments of his three and a half years in office.
The Akesan market in the town as well as a 100-bed ward, with a new ambulance has been supplied for the Ikenne General Hospital, he said, adding that the cargo airport at Illisan will be commissioned for use in the first quarter of next year.
The governor pointed out that, in addition to being a time for joy, happiness, and thankfulness, Christmas is also a time to thank God for sending His son to earth to save humanity.
“You don’t have to be a millionaire to show love and kindness to people. You can show love by showing that you care, there are better ways to thank God for His mercies.
“You don’t have to be a governor, local government chairman or an appointee to show love. You can do that in a little way. God has shown us an example of love by giving us Jesus Christ to die for our sins. So let’s use this season to show to all those around us”, the governor emphasized.
He called on the people to go and obtain their Permanent Voter’s Cards to be able to exercise their franchise in next year’s elections, cautioning the youths not to allow themselves to be used by politicians as thugs, but to conduct themselves in an orderly manner.
In his sermon titled, “Love of God to Mankind”, the Vicar of Saint James’ Anglican Church, Iperu-Remo, Venerable Shedrack Ajileye, said God created man in his image to enjoy his love, but lost the glory in the garden of Eden, but God restored it through the coming of Jesus Christ.
Taking his text from John 3:16 and Matthew 1:23, he said the season is to celebrate the joy of God upon mankind, the liberation and salvation brought to man by Christ as well as the celebration of the Prince of Peace, urging Christians to celebrate the yuletide with Christ in mind, as he is the reason for the season and extend the hand of fellowship to others, especially the less privileged, to enable them to partake in the celebration.
The man of God lauded the state government for its giant strides in the health, education, and agriculture infrastructural sectors and urged him to redouble his efforts in serving the people.