By Olasunkanmi Akoni
General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, at the weekend led other men of God at the 2011 annual thanksgiving service organized by the Lagos State Government to pray for a continued peaceful co-existence of Nigeria and the peaceful conduct of the forthcoming April general elections in Nigeria.

Other men of God at the service include: Reverend Sam Adeyemi, of Daystar, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, Senior Pastor of Fountain of Life Church, Pastor Paul and Wale Adefarasin, Apostle Samson Ayorinde, Prophet S.K Abiara, Rev Felix Medouye among others.

Eminent citizens of the state led by Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, Deputy Governor, Adebisi Sosan, immediate past Governor of Lagos State Bola Tinubu, Senator Olunrinibe Mamora, Ambassador Sola Olusola, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye.

Starting his Exhortation from the book of Lamentation, Chapter 3 verse 22 to 23 of the Bible, Adeboye enjoined Nigerians to always embrace peace at all time and not forget to give thanks to God in whatever situation they find themselves.

He noted that it is only in the atmosphere of peace that a nation can grow and citizens can gather to give thanks to Almighty which he only requires from His people, hence the citizen must give peace a chance.

Pastor Paul Adefarasin in his special prayer for the youth of Nigeria quoted several Bible passages on the importance of youth to the development of any nation and urged the youth to imbibe the culture of holiness, justice in all their endeavours.

Rev Adeyemi also prayed for the success and peaceful outcome of Year 2011 general elections, pleading the blood of Jesus to take over the country during and after the elections

He prayed against all the enemies of the country who would not want the elections to be successful, saying God will deal with them and put them to shame.

Also Apostle Ayorinde in his brief prayer, however, prayed for the entire Nigeria while Prophet Abiara prayed for religious Harmony in Nigeria even as he condemned the wanton killings in the sectoral violence in the Northern part of the country, particularly Jos, Plateau State. Other prayers were offered on behalf of the citizens of the state and Nigeria in general.

Governor Fashola in his welcome address described the service as one that would herald a new relationship between governments, people of the state with God.

While explaining that the annual thanksgiving is a family re-union, Fashola renewed appeal on the need to promote peaceful coexistence of citizens, irrespective of class, religion, ethnic or geographical differences.

He said: “With our religion distinction, it should not distinguish us. Our religion of distinctions is a matter of choice. Therefore, we must renew our belief.”

On making a right choice in the 2011 general polls by electing the right candidates into public offices, Fashola said: “When we seek leadership, we should not choose any type of leadership but the leadership that fear God.

“As we give thanks for out gone 2010 and the beginning of 2011, am sure God will surely embarrass Nigeria with the right leadership and God will answer because all will be well.”