Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Wednesday said that if Nigeria must develop and have sizable improvement in its Gross Domestic Product, people of good conscience and high integrity must be at the helm of affairs of all areas of the economy.
Ambode made the assertion at Alausa, Ikeja, when he received the national leadership of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International in Nigeria.
He said the country had a lot to benefit when good business practice was combined with an excellent religious conscience.
According to him, this would obviously result in growth and development.
“The economy of Lagos cannot be that productive to improve the GDP if there are no people with good conscience and this is what this fellowship stands for.
“It is not enough for you to have resources, it is not enough for you to have people that can improve productivity but again there are people who have to be drivers to arrive at the GDP or the kind of nation that we want,” he said.
Ambode said since his assumption of office in the last three and half years, concerted efforts had been made to ensure religious harmony and also create greater enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
“All we do as a government is just to ensure that we create an enabling environment for people to practice religion without interference and at the same time greater enabling environment for them to do their businesses.
“So, when we combine good businesses and good religious conscience, obviously the nation will grow and then the nation will develop,” Ambode said.
While describing members of the fellowship as distinguished personalities in various fields, the Governor equally commended them for holding their annual convention in Lagos, saying it was instructive that such was taking place at a time that the nation needs a lot of prayers.
Earlier, National President of the fellowship, Mr. Ifeanyi Odedo, who led the delegation, said the team was at Lagos House to officially inform the Governor of the ongoing 87th National Convention of the Fellowship, and also to explore partnership in key areas to grow the country’s GDP such as housing, agro industry, and information communication technology, among others.
Odedo also commended the Governor for his giant strides in the last three and half years, saying it was commendable that he had given priority to people-oriented policies and programs.
“We appreciate the kind of grace that God has bestowed upon you. In the past number of years that you have served this State as Executive Governor, we have seen your doggedness, we have seen your passion, we have seen your integrity, we have seen the spirit of professionalism and excellence with people-oriented programs that are very impactful.
“Suffice it to say that you have left a great legacy in the sand of history. I want to put on record that what God has deposited in you with which you have served this State in the past three and half years or thereabout, that thing will still find expression in no distant time. All things work together for good and because you are carrying the spirit of the Lord, the Lord is setting before you an open door and no man can shut it,” Odedo said.
