By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

The Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District at the Red Chamber of the National Assembly, Otunba Gbenga Daniel has called Nigerians to keep hope alive on series of challenges facing the country, assuring that very soon, Nigeria will emerge stronger and overcome its challenges.

Daniel, who is former Governor of Ogun State, and Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy made the call while speaking at the 20th annual family thanksgiving held at Abraham’s Tabernacle, Sagamu.

He said, “though, we are going through some kind of evolution in the country. Everywhere, there is challenge, but I have no doubt in my mind that the children of Israel went through worst scenarios”.

“As our religious leaders always assured us and the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo always told us, that after darkness, comes a glorious dawn. No matter the situation in the country presently, I want to assure you all that all these challenges will soon pass. By the grace of God, we shall overcome our present challenges in Nigeria “.

The Senator urged the people and men of God not to relent in praying for the country insisting that “whatever is happening now will soon be thing of the past and Nigeria will be great again”.

“I therefore want to appeal to Nigerians not to lose hope. Everything that is happening is for the better, there’s no doubt in our minds that all of these will also pass and Nigeria shall be great again”.

The former governor urged the people especially the clergymen to continue to pray for the success of President Bola Tinubu’s government and the peace and prosperity of the nation in particular.

Speaking on the state creation from the old Ijebu Province, Senator Daniel assured indigenes of Ijebu and Remo that he would never indulge in partiality in his desire to create a new state from old Ijebu Province.

Daniel, while reacting to the earlier speech of the Akarigbo and paramount ruler of Remo land, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi pledged not to be partial in matters relating to the creation of a new State from Old Ijebu Province.

He reiterated the call for all hands to be on deck to defeat whatever might have been responsible for the delay in the creation of new state from old Ijebu Province when many other Provinces created same time, about 100 years ago like Sokoto, Adamawa, Oyo among others have been splitted into two or more states.

Oba Ajayi, while commending Senator Daniel on the annual thanksgiving in appreciating God for his limitless goodness, said “I have also told our Senator that he can never afford to be partial.

“He is representing both Remo and Ijebu and he cannot love one more than the other especially as it touches the state creation from old Ijebu Province with regards to the name and state capital”.

He debunked ever been partial and that he might have even done so much more for Remo land, the birth place of his father than Ijebu land where his Mum hailed from.

Senator Daniel said “even though, the tradition does not allow us to speak after our traditional rulers have spoken, but Kabiyesi with due respect, let me remind you sir that I am Asiwaju Onigbagbo of Remo land and not Ijebuland, I live in Sagamu and not Ijebu Ode, I am Arole of Remoland not Ijebuland 

“On the other side, the Ijebu too are saying that I am partial and here you our Kabiyesi is also saying that I am partial, I think the men of God should please pray for me”.

The former governor explained that his love for Remo land has never been in doubt and that was why he sited the Agro-Cargo airport in Remo, as well as the Flowergate Industrial Estate; the biggest in the country at the Sagamu interchange in the zone when he served as the governor of the State between 2003 and 2011.

He said that he remains committed to ensuring that a new state is created out of the old Ijebu Province, calling for the cooperation of all to get the dream actualised.

“Meanwhile, on the other side, the Ijebu too are saying that I am partial and here you are Kabiyesi also saying that I am partial, I think the men of God should please pray for me”.

The former governor explained that his love for Remo land has never been in doubt and that this was why he sited the Agro-Cargo airport as well as the Flowergate Industrial Estate, the biggest in the country at the Sagamu snterchange in the zone when he served as the governor of the State between 2003 and 2011.

He noted that he remains committed to ensuring that a new state is created out of old Ijebu Province calling for the cooperation of all to get the dream actualised

Ministering from the book of Psalm 102, former Primate, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Peter Akinola charged all mortal souls to cultivate the habit of appreciating God for his benevolence on them.

While stressing that thanksgiving is the recognition of God’s blessings and presence in our lives, he noted that the act of thanksgiving is a necessity and not an option.

While lamenting that many people only appreciate God whenever they receive special favour or ‘miracle, Rev. Akinola said, “in everything, all situation and circumstances human beings must give thanks to God.

“Thanksgiving aligns our souls and hearts with our creator. It is an antidote of self purification and pride

Dignitaries at the annual thanksgiving include the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount ruler of Yewa land, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, the Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, former Ogun State Deputy governor, Alhaja Salmot Badru, former Deputy governor of Lagos State, Otunba Femi Pedro among others.