At BSN luncheon, Sanwo-Olu, Maiden Alex-Ibru urge divine resolution of Nigeria’s problems

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has reiterated their commitment to making God the cornerstone of his administration.

He spoke yesterday at the Bible Society of Nigeria’s (BSN) 15th luncheon with the theme: “Divine mason: Vessels in the order of Solomon,” where N2 billion was being sourced for a befitting Bible House.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Chieftaincy Matters, Prince Bayo Osiyemi, the governor, who coincidentally graced the event as 15th state chief executive, said at every function of the church, he had not relented in rendering assistance whenever the occasion demands.

Awards for selfless service to God and humanity were later bestowed to prominent citizens, including Publisher of The Guardian, Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru, Sir Emmanuel Nwogbo, Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu and Pastor Elijah Abina.

In his remarks, the chairman of the occasion, Nwogbo, who stressed the need to back BSN’s fund-raising, said assisting God’s work would reduce banditry, terrorism and other criminal activities in the country.

“The seeds of terrorism and others we are reaping today were sown 20 to 30 years ago, and there is every need to stop the trend,” he added.

The Guardian publisher, in her acceptance speech, said BSN has always remained close to her heart.

She underscored the need to support society via spreading the gospel to contain insecurity and other problems besetting the country.

Alex-Ibru appealed: “The country should turn to God. A lot of things are happening in the country and divine intervention is what we should be praying for, and with God, all things are possible.

“There is so much uncertainty and to step out or to attend an event between 4.00 p.m. and 6.00 p.m. is something one has to think twice on.

“Even those that are living in so-called well-managed and secure environment, for example, Ikoyi, are also under fear because things are no more like before.

“The country is in a mess, and we need to fix it and the earlier we do this, the better.”

BSN patron, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), solicited support for the new Bible House, even as he congratulated the awardees.

President and Board Chairman, BSN, Bishop Timothy Banwo, said: “There is an urgent need for a Bible House, as lack of conducive environment has been hampering the work of making the Bible available.”

General Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, Pastor Samuel Sanusi, said the current office the society operates from “is not befitting,” adding that of the N2 billion being sought, only N130 million has been realised.