First Lady of Lagos, and wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has called on residents of the State to take custody of their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), using same decisively to exercise their franchise in the 2023 General Elections.
Her appeal is coming against the backdrop of voters apathy and the recent harvesting of PVCs by people selling them off to desperate politicians.
The First Lady at the 16th edition of the Lagos State Carol Service themed “Carol of Nine Lessons; A Stone of Grace,” organised by the Lagos first family in collaboration with the State Ministry of Home Affairs, urged eligible voters in the state to not only obtain their PVCs from the Independent National Electoral Commission within the available time, but also utilise same to exercise their civic responsibilities.
The First Lady who appealed to Nigerians, especially the eligible voters not to shun their civic responsibility but to participate actively in the forthcoming general elections, noted that the problems confronting the nation will be solved when good leaders are elected.
She implored them to take it “a point of churchy duty to be part of the electioneering process.”
She prayed Lagos will continue to record remarkable growth and success.
During the Carol night, Sanwo-Olu also read Bible verses from Matthew 2: 2-12, enjoining the attendees to ensure they devote their time for love as it was exemplified by Jesus.
She said, “This is the day the Lord has made, let the righteous rejoice. Christmas is a special season. Jesus came to liberate the world from the shackles of sins.’’
The chief host of the event, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu who read the Bible to buttress the importance of Christmas, urged Lagosians to love each other and live in harmony.
The elated governor, Sanwo-Olu read John 1:14 from the Bible, thanked the people who came in large numbers to observe the carol.
Speaking, the State’s Commissioner for Home Affairs, Mr. Anofiu Elegushi, said the Christmas celebration coming at the end of the year calls for sober reflection.
According to him, it was worthy to offer thanksgiving and appreciation to God who despite challenges, has kept the State “still standing tall.”
“We are indeed grateful to the Almighty for keeping us and helping our dear State to achieve the successes recorded so far with the readiness to bring more smiles to the faces of our people.
“We thank the Lord for His love and mercies over our families, friends, our dear Lagos State in particular and Nigeria in general. The Holy Bible in the Book of Lamentations 3 verse 22 says ‘it is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.’”