The Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde on Saturday has urged Nigerians not to pray for only the politicians and but also civil servants in the country.
Makinde averred that civil servants are the backbones of the political office holders in the country.
Oyo Governor who was reacting to the sermon of Diocesan Bishop of Osun North Anglican Communion, Rt Reverend Adetoye Olaoye at the 70th birthday anniversary Thanksgiving of Osun State former governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, held at Oba Moses Oyinlola Memorial Anglican Church, Okuku, Osun State, explained that politicians are a reflection of society, hitherto, they are from the society.
His words, “I picked one or two things from the sermon of the Bishop. He said governance should not be about APC or PDP. He tasked the citizens to pray for politicians to rule with the fear of God. But I want to say that politicians represent a small fraction of the population of our society. I recognise the fact that once you attain power you exact influence of society.
“We, the politicians are not from abroad, we are from society. Politicians are a reflection of our society. The prayer we need is that as humans and Nigerians, God should continually guide us to do the right thing. There is no governor or any political office holders that can be successful without the civil servants, so if you are praying for the political leaders, please pray for civil servants.”
Speaking about Oyinlola, he said, “He is excellence emeritus. He belongs to everybody. On behalf of the government and the people of Oyo State, I wish you a happy birthday and many happy returns. At 70 you at the cross in between wisdom, knowledge and energy.”
Earlier, Diocesan Bishop of Osun North Anglican Communion, Rt Reverend Adetoye Olaoye, in his sermon from 1 Corinthians 3:13, ” Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
He said, the works of politicians and leaders in the country will be tried by fire and they must be selfless in proffering solution to the problem of the people. He also charged Nigerians to pray politicians.
The dignitaries at the thanksgiving are; Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, former governor of Ekiti, Segun Oni, Osun State deputy governor, Benedict Alabi, Wife of Osun state governor, Kafayat Oyetola, PDP chieftain, Akogun Lere Oyewumi among others.
