Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Hamzat, yesterday, said that Nigeria is blessed and none of its citizens should have any reason to be in the poverty net.
Hamzat added that if its leaders and the citizens irrespective of tribe, religion, profession or gender eschew illicit act and engage in what is right always, the country would be better for all.
The deputy governor stated this yesterday at a special prayer session organised to commemorate his 55th Birthday held at his official residence in Ikoyi, which was attended by Wife of the State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa and others.
He stated that Nigeria is a country that has no business with poverty if her citizens have followed the instructions of God by being godly and doing what is right and ideal always.
According to the deputy governor, “we are blessed but for some reasons, we have not done what God has asked us to do, that is why we are the way we are. If only we have done what God expects from us all, the country will be a better place”
Hamzat who bemoaned the high level of indiscipline and social vices in the country further urged citizens to be responsible in their various endeavours and activities.
Speaking further, Hamzat, therefore, urged religious leaders in the country to always advise their followers to shun negative attitudes, adding that no matter the numbers of roads constructed, schools built, or power generated, if the users are not well oriented towards being a great country, it will all be a waste.
“The government must build schools, better infrastructure and definitely people are going to use them. But if those people using the infrastructure are not well oriented, we will have a challenge.”
He noted that both the government and citizens all have responsibilities in making this country great and building a better future for generations yet unborn.
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The deputy governor added that the country will be good and habitable for all if we all care for our neighbours as admonished by the two Holy Books and not being self-centered.
The deputy governor further disclosed that his birthday message is focused on parenting as the biggest challenge of this country is our behavior. He stated that we need to pay more attention to parenting, the family structure determines the success of a society, noting that once the family structure breaks down, the society breaks down and everything goes wrong with the country.
While reiterating the need for parents to bring up their children with moral values as most parents have abandoned these responsibilities, he advised them to teach them morals, family values and hard work.
Speaking on the topic, “Governance in Islam”, the Guest Lecturer, AbdulAkeem Lawal called on government to create an enabling environment for business to thrive in order to create employment for Nigerians.
He stated that it is the responsibility of government to be responsive to the needs of citizens adding as such that the administration of Babajide Sanwo-Olu should be alert to its responsibility by ensuring that its deal with all in fairness and justice.
While commending the state government for his successes in the last 100 days in office, urged the state governor to fulfil all its campaign promises to the good people of Lagos State.
Speaking further, the cleric stated that birthday celebration is an avenue of thanksgiving for preservation of life and stock-taking as well as stocktaking on one’s level of compliance to Allah’s directive.
He added that whatever one does in a position of authority is as an act of worship to God and is done as a representative of God and will give an account of his/her stewardship to the Almighty Allah. Nigerian News
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Is Anthony Odiong still a priest after life in prison sentence over rape?")
