By Lukman Olabiyi
As Nigeria celebrates its 62nd Independence Anniversary, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has enjoined electorates to focus on issue-based campaign and refrain from the politics of division and bitterness as the 2023 general elections approach.
Governor Sanwo-Olu stated this at a Parade organised by the State’s Ministry of Home Affairs to commemorate the 62nd National Independence Day celebration of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.
He also urged Nigerians to respect divergent opinions as the beauty of democracy lies in the fact that everyone would not
all share the same ideological and political views.
The governor commended the citizens for being resolute in their commitment to the project inspite of many challenges facing the country, while restating that his administration THEMES agenda for a greater Lagos is on course.
Sanwo-Olu in his words said: “And as the 2023 general elections approach, I enjoin everyone to focus on issues and refrain from the politics of division and bitterness. We must respect divergent opinions and respect the fact that the beauty of democracy lies in the fact that we will not all share the same ideological and political views. What we want, and what is not negotiable, is a better country.
“In closing, I wish to pay tribute to all of our heroes, past and present, those who have laboured and sacrificed, over the decades, and all who continue to labour and sacrifice today, to guarantee freedoms for all of us.
“62 years ago, it was freedom from colonial rule, which we are celebrating; today the striving is to attain freedom from terrorism, poverty, the disastrous impact of climate change, and from moral decline.
“More than ever before, we owe it a duty to the younger generations to collectively develop lasting solution to our challenges.
“I wish all Lagosians a Happy Nigerian 62nd Independence Anniversary. May the labor of our heroes past and present never be in vain. God bless Lagos State, God bless the Federal Republic of
Nigeria”.
The programme featured inspection of parade of various groups which include Nigerian Police, Civil Defence, Paramilitary, voluntary organisations, school children by the governor, cutting of the 62nd Independence Anniversary Cake, three among others.