Encomium
FIRST LADY, DAME ABIMBOLA FASHOLA, ORGANISES SPECIAL VALEDICTORY SERVICE ON BEHALF OF HER HUSBAND AND SHARES EXPERIENCE ON 8 YEARS IN OFFICE
On Saturday, May 16, 2015, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola, wife of Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, organised a valedictory community hymns of praise in honour of His Excellency and husband at The Chapel of Christ The Light Church, Alausa Ikeja, Lagos.
The valedictory had in attendance members of both families, entertainers from the movie industry, well wishers, friends, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Hon Victoria Orelope-Adefulire, amongst many others.
In her opening speech Dame Abimbola Fashola said, She read from the scripture (Psalms 100). She talked about uncertainties as her husband contested and won the gubernatorial seat 8 years ago but God saw them through. She testified to God’s mercy on behalf of her family for showing them the way all through the years. She asked for support as they go back to their family home come May 29, 2015, asking that friends, families and well wishers should continue to pray for them and still give them all their supports as they have always done. She spoke on her interest to keep praising God in a gathering, like this. Due to her love for kids, children of Samdebbie Music School orchestra showed their love with a wonderful rendition. At the wrap of the service, a prayer was said for the family of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola.
However, in a brief interview with ENCOMIUM Weekly, the first lady and Deputy Governor of Lagos State, opened up on their experiences so far…
What informed this interstate programme?
I have attended a few of this kind of programme and the denomination I belong to does not engage in such programmes and I always find them interesting because it is a way of spending time in the house of the Lord, a way of uplifting the spirit and a way of giving thanks to God. I would say, God has said, “In everything, we should just give him thanks and praise.”
How will you describe the 8 years experience?
I doubt if anyone can be well groomed or prepared because new things arise everyday but we thank God that, whatever we have been through or the challenges, God has been able to surmount them for us. In governance, you have to be there for people, listen to people who need assistance. I would say it is really not a yes or no answer but you must be able to explain yourself and must be able to say it the way it is. Those were the challenges.
What is your message to Lagosians?
We thank God for them standing by us, their prayers and for them playing their own part to make sure, Lagos is what it is today. I pray that the next governor and his wife will continue what we are leaving behind. We will still be there for them, support them with prayers and also do our bit as good Lagosians and ensure that we keep waxing strong.
