Remain a beacon of hope, Sanwo-Olu urges Baptist church

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has expressed his profound gratitude to the First Baptist Church, Kosofe, for being a beacon of hope and transformation in Lagos State and a proud member of the Nigerian Baptist Convention with over 20,000 churches nationwide.

The governor spoke through his representative, Venerable Adebukola Adeleke, during the 100 years anniversary of Kosofe Baptist Church with the theme: Great Celebration.

Sanwo-Olu recalled that 100 years of unwavering faith, service and commitment to both God and humanity is truly a remarkable achievement.

“I am happy to celebrate this milestone with you. The community of Kosofe that is rich in history and culture has witnessed incredible transformation over the past centuries from a quiet settlement of seven villages where mat weaving, farming and fishing were once the primary occupations. Kosofe has evolved into a bustling commercial hub as a gateway to Lagos,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu said that as the community has grown, so has the First Baptist Church, Kosofe become a beacon of hope.

The President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev. Dr Israel Adelani Akanji, urged the government to reduce the high cost of living in the country.

He linked the high cost of living in the country to the high cost of transportation.

He regretted that the high cost of living has led to deprivation of many Nigerians who could no longer bear it.

“There are many people that cannot afford three square meals. They cannot pay the school fees of their children; they cannot buy drugs in the hospitals. Things have become very expensive.”

He said that one way that the government can intervene is to look into the issue of the cost of transportation which comes again from the high cost of fuel.

“If that is reduced, definitely it will affect house rent, it will affect school fees, it will affect other areas of our lives. So the government has to step in so that Nigerians will live better lives.”

The Senior Pastor of the church, Rev Dr Olatunde Festus, appreciated God for what He has done in the past 100 years.

“But our focus should be the future. We should envision a future that will be greater than what the Lord has done for us in the past.

“The implication is that the church should be more committed and more dedicated than the past. We should pledge our allegiance anew unto God to the cause of his kingdom.”

Dignitaries at the occasion included the President of Lagos East Baptist Conference, Dr Matthew Awujoola; immediate past pastor of the church, Rev. Dr. Jerry Akinsola; an octogenarian member of the church, Chief Stephen Adeola Oyedele and Pastor Christianah Adegbite.