- Church Belongs to God, Not Politicians – Sanwo-Olu
- Commends Anglican Communion for Shaping Lagos Values
- Calls for Stronger Church Engagement in Society
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called on the church to remain steadfast in defending the values of justice, fairness, integrity and human dignity whenever they come under threat in society.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the governor made the appeal on Friday during his goodwill message at the Third Session of the Ninth Synod of the Diocese of Lagos West, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).
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Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. ‘Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Sanwo-Olu stated that the church belongs to God and the people, stressing that it must continue to stand as a moral voice in society rather than align itself with political interests.
“The church does not belong to any political actor. It belongs to God and to the people, and it must remain so,” he said.
Quoting Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, the governor noted that Lagos and Nigeria were currently passing through an important season of transition, adding that moments like this require spiritual guidance, moral leadership and unity.
He described the house of God as the best place to seek direction and hope during challenging times.
Sanwo-Olu commended the Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West, Rt. Rev’d Dr. James Odedeji, alongside members of the Anglican Communion, for their commitment to community development and spiritual growth across Lagos West.
He urged the church to remain vigilant, deliberate and actively involved in shaping society through its teachings and outreach programmes.
According to him, the Anglican Communion has consistently played a major role in nation-building through its schools, hospitals, missions and humanitarian activities.
“The Anglican church has been a builder of society, spreading the gospel, giving hope to the weary, comforting the brokenhearted and helping people through moments of uncertainty,” he said.
The governor further praised the church for helping to shape the moral and spiritual foundation of Lagos through value-based education and social impact initiatives.
“This Cathedral, named after Archbishop Vining, represents a long-standing investment in the soul of Lagos. The values taught in Anglican schools integrity, diligence, discipline and service helped build this city and continue to influence society positively today,” he added.
Sanwo-Olu acknowledged the role of religious institutions in complementing government efforts, stressing that while government provides infrastructure and public services, strong moral and spiritual institutions are essential for building a prosperous society.
“Before roads are built or hospitals equipped, the church has already been shaping character, strengthening families and giving people hope,” he stated.
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