2024 Was Challenging, But God Was Merciful To Us In Lagos-Speaker Obasa …As Lagos Methodist Church Prelate Calls For Muslim Governor In 2027

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, has said that while the year 2024 was challenging, the residents of the state have cause to give thanks to God for His mercies.

Obasa, who spoke at the 22nd Annual Thanksgiving Service and End of the Year Party of the Assembly on Friday December 13, 2024 with the theme; “Voice Of Mercy”, said that Nigerians have solace in the fact that President Bola Tinubu is not leaving any stone unturned to take the nation to its Promised Land.

This was just as the main guest speaker at the event, Most Rev Dr Moses Ayo Olawuyi, the Archbishop of Lagos, Methodist Church of Nigeria, said that Lagos State deserves a Muslim Governor in 2027 after Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, a Christian must have served for eight years.

“As we gather here today, let us remember the words of Psalm 100:4-5, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

“As Christians, you are reminded in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks to God in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Today, we come together to fulfill this divine mandate, to give thanks to God for His mercy and blessings.

We have every reason to give thanks to God for His mercy, love, and faithfulness, which have been our guide so far!

“The outgoing year is indeed a challenging one, especially considering the economic situation of the country. Nevertheless, we have solace in the fact that the government of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR is not leaving any stone unturned to bring us to our promised land. Mr President is busy, doing everything possible to put smiles on our faces. Trust me, succor is coming. I urge us to keep the hope alive.

‘As the theme of this event reminds us, “The Voice of Mercy” is a call to reflect on God’s goodness and compassion towards us. In Psalm 103:8, we are reminded that “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” This verse highlights God’s merciful nature and His willingness to show compassion to those who seek Him,” Obasa said.

The Speaker added that in times like these, when the world can seem overwhelming and uncertain, it is crucial to remember the enduring message of mercy and grace that is ever-present in the lives of the people.

He said; “As we reflect on this theme, I am reminded of the powerful words of Psalm 136:1, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” Indeed, it is through God’s mercy that we find strength, solace, and renewal.

“In Luke 6:36, Jesus teaches us to “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” As we reflect on God’s mercy, let us also remember our responsibility to show mercy to others.

“As we celebrate this thanksgiving, let us also remember the words of Jesus Christ in Matthew 5:7, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” May we continue to show mercy and compassion to one another, just as our Lord has shown mercy to us.

“In Romans 9:15-16, the Apostle Paul writes, “For he says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’ It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.

“May we acknowledge God’s sovereignty and mercy in our lives, recognising that our blessings and successes are not solely the result of our efforts, but rather a manifestation of God’s mercy and compassion.”

Speaker Obasa stated that as the people are blessed to have great men of God as esteemed guest speakers at the event, he was reminded of the profound impact of their ministries and the wisdom they bring, adding that their “presence serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration as we gather to celebrate and give thanks.”

Earlier in his sermon, Archbishop Isaac Ayo Olawuyi, said that the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been working in synergy with the members of the House of Assembly, while he appreciated the Speaker, Rt. Hon Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, for his leadership quality.

Olawuyi stated that God has been merciful to the city of Lagos, and thanked Him for all He has been doing for the state over the years.

“It is time for the mercy of God to reach the people of the state for year 2025. Lamentations Chapter 3: 22-23 says we are not consumed by the Lord’s mercies. One of the characteristics of God is mercy.

“When you look unto God and into Him, his main nature is mercy, speak to it, hold to it. Believe that He is good, kind, and that his mercies endure forever. If you do this, depression will be far away from you. You will have no cause to be sorrowful or run helter skelter. Psalm 136 says for the Lord is good and His mercy endures forever. Jeremiah confirmed this in his lamentation that by His mercies we are consumed and we are kept from untimely death.

“We are alive because His mercy has kept us. It’s by His mercy that hunger and famine have not taken over the country. It is by the mercy of God that the three arms of God in Lagos State are working together. There is progress and prosperity in Lagos State by the mercies of God. Nigeria is waxing stronger despite everything by the mercy of God and the nation is getting better by His mercy,” he said.

Dr Olawuyi told the people that they would be disappointed if the rely on people and fails to obtain mercy from God.

According to him, “when the mercy of God is upon you, all protocols would be broken. It is God who shows mercy. All things are possible by the mercies of God. When you have His mercies, all things would become possible for you. We receive forgiveness of our sins from Him by His mercies. The nation needs God’s mercy and it is by His mercy that we can overcome our predicaments and our shortcomings.”

He added that it is only God that can turn situation around for good, and urged the people to pray for His mercy.

He said that there are varying examples of mercies are in the Bible such as that of Bartimeus the blind and 10 lepers on Luke 17 from verse 11, who he said were cleansed from their leprosy through the mercy of God.

Narrating the story of the good Samaritan in the Bible, who he said was half dead and was rescued, he stated that the only way the people can help themselves and end protest and hunger is to show mercy and be kind to one another.

“How many people have you helped and taken care of. Go and show love and mercy.

“I also want to add that we have consideration for religious inclination in Lagos State. For the past 9 years; it would be 12 years in 2027, we have been in the system together and we have been having Christians as Governors. Now, it’s time to give our Muslim brothers chance to rule us in Lagos State. We want to pray that when it’s time for election it would be time for us to elect who will rule us in Lagos State,” he said.

Others at the event were the representatives of the state Governor, some members of the state executives, HRM, Oba Rilwan Osuolale Akiolu of Lagos, who was represented by white cap chiefs led by Chief Abdulateef Aderibigbe Ajose, lawmakers, politicians amongst others.