Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has urged Nigerians to regard the country as a shared inheritance and take collective responsibility for its future.

Abiodun made the call on Sunday during a special interdenominational church service at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, Ake, Abeokuta, held to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, said Nigerians owed future generations the responsibility of building a united, peaceful, prosperous and just country.

He urged citizens to look beyond the country’s present challenges and focus on the opportunities ahead.

“When we speak about development, we must also speak about the values that hold society together. Government cannot build a prosperous society alone. There is a need for citizens to work hand-in-hand with the government to build a robust nation,” Abiodun said.

The governor commended President Bola Tinubu for the economic reforms introduced under the Renewed Hope Agenda, expressing optimism that the policies would eventually translate into improved infrastructure, better livelihoods and increased economic opportunities.

He also said his administration would continue to expand economic programmes, strengthen public institutions and invest in human capital until the end of his tenure.

“The true measure of governance is not simply the projects commissioned, but the lives improved and opportunities created,” he added.

Abiodun further appealed to political leaders and religious organisations to promote peace, mutual respect and responsible civic engagement ahead of future elections.

“We can disagree without becoming enemies, compete without violence and defend our convictions while respecting the rights of others,” he said.

In his sermon titled “A Call to Repentance,” based on Joel 2:12-14, the Archbishop of Lagos and Bishop of Remo, Most Rev. Michael Fape, urged leaders and citizens to turn away from corruption and seek God’s guidance.

Fape identified greed as a major driver of corruption and warned against attempts to disguise corrupt practices as public relations.

The cleric said Nigeria had yet to realise its full potential, citing infrastructural decay, challenges in the health and tertiary education sectors, and business closures.

He, however, thanked God for what he described as a reduction in incidents of banditry and kidnapping.

Fape also commended Abiodun’s administration for its development efforts in Ogun State and urged residents to reject the politics of hatred.