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

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

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State; Deputy Governor, Adebisi Sosan; immediate past Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu; Senator Olunrinibe Mamora; Ambassador Sola Olusola, and Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye were also at the service.

Taking his sermon from the book of Lamentation, Chapter 3 verse 22 to 23, 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 Adefarasin prayed for the country’s youths, while Rev. Adeyemi prayed for peaceful elections. Also Apostle Ayorinde prayed for the entire country, while Prophet Abiara prayed for religious harmony in Nigeria.

Governor Fashola, in his welcome address, described the service as one that would herald a new relationship between governments and 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: “Our religions’ distinctions 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.”