•Governor Sanwo-Olu, Wife Join Virtuallya
81-Year-Old Leader of Good Women Choir who sang the evergreen hit track of ‘Odun nlo sopin’ released 41 years ago, Mama Deborah Abimbola Fasoyin was among the artistes who performed on Thursday at the Year 2020 Lagos State Christmas Carol Service of Nine Lessons with the theme “Lord Over All,” taken from Romans 10:12.
The special hybrid Christmas Carol was held in line with safety protocols relating to the #COVID19 pandemic where several gospel artistes, including Tope Alabi, Good Women Choir, BJ Sax, Adeyinka Alaseyori of the Arojinle fame, and host of others joined in appreciating God’s faithfulness over the State.
The Carol which was a hybrid of physical and virtual, consisted of just 750 participants as against its usual 4,000 seating capacity, and it was held at the Football Pitch of Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.
The concert also had in attendance the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu
physically at the event, while the Governor and his wife, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu joined the Carol service online via Zoom.
The First Lady, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who was the Chief Hostess, read the 6th lesson taken from the book of Luke 2: 1-7.
Also, Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Oluremi Hamzat read the 2nd lesson taken from the book of Isaiah 7: 10-14.
In his opening remarks, Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi acknowledged the fact that 2020 has been quite an eventful year, saying that “we thank the Lord for His love and mercies over our families, friends, our dear Lagos State in particular and Nigeria in general.”
He said that the Carol Service is one of the ways of expressing gratitude to God for His divine intervention in Lagos State.
According to him, despite the challenges faced by the State, Lagos is still standing tall by God’s grace, hence the need for everyone to count their blessings and give thanks because God is indeed, Lord over All.
“The end of the year is a period of sober reflection, a time to take stock of all activities from the beginning of the year in order to express our gratitude to the Most High for His divine intervention in Lagos State. Despite our challenges, we are still standing tall by His grace. I beseech us all to count our blessings and give thanks because He is indeed Lord over All.
“Globally, the Corona Virus took all Nations by surprise. The great nations were brought to their knees, Africa and Nigeria in particular was prophesied to witness countless deaths but with fervent prayers, determination and hardwork, we are coming out of the woods. This is worthy of thanking God for,” Elegushi stated.
The Commissioner encouraged Lagosians to appreciate the faithfulness of God in their lives and in Lagos State for all God has done and for many more that He will still do even as the year closes, assuring that Year 2021 will be a better and rewarding year.
Also speaking during the Carol Service, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Mrs. Adebunmi Adekanye, said that “We value what God has done for Lagos State and its citizens all through this year and it is our prayer that God will continue to increase the prosperity of Lagos State in all ramifications.”
In her words; “Christmas is a season of love, peace and happiness, a period of spiritual reborn, a period of reform when we shed our inadequacies and strive to imbibe virtuous habits, even in our darkest times, when we come together like this, we have the power to remind ourselves that there is hope.“
The Carol Service also had in attendance, Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa; Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; White Cap Chiefs, members of the State Executive Council, Body of Permanent Secretaries, religious leaders and Ministers led by Lagos State Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop Stephen
Adegbite, among others.
