By ABUBAKAR YUSUF

To ensure peaceful coexistence before and after the 2023 general elections, the National Productivity Center (NPC), in partnership with the federal lawmaker representing Mushin I Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Rt. Hon. Alli Adeyemi Taofik, has carried out the second phase training for and empowerment of 100 religious leaders in Lagos State, on the need to embrace peace as a catalyst to all round development.

The event came on the heels of the Presidential and National Assembly elections held on 25th February and dwelt on the need to make the March 11 Governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state were peaceful.

The Lagos event, jointly sponsored by NPC and Rt. Hon. Alli Adeyemi Taofik representing Mushin I on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), was used to appeal for calm and cooperation to ensure peaceful coexistence before, during and after the election in Lagos and Nigeria at large.

The training held at the Multi-purpose Hall in Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA of Mushin I Federal Constituency on Friday, 3rd March, featured lectures on peaceful coexistence and distribution of empowerment items to the selected beneficiaries from the constituency.

In his message at the occasion, Taofik described Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as a peace- loving leader and APC, as a veritable platform to extend similar gestures, both in his first term and his re-election bid for a second term in office come March 11.

He said the Governor's peaceful stance and demonstration of quality leadership have contributed to the relative peace in Lagos, fair distribution of infrastructure, stating that when voted for a second term, Sanwo-Olu would sustain the tempo of development in all ramifications.

He asked Lagos religious leaders to use the forum to deploy more strategies in creating sustainable peace and genuine followers across the state, saying that the current APC government in Lagos state under Governor Sanwo-Olu meant well for the overall development of the state.

He congratulated the beneficiaries for attending the second phase refresher programme, stressing that peace and harmony were pivotal to progressive society, promising that the program would continue to run concurrently while he remains at the National Assembly.

Recall that Taofik, in collaboration with NPC, had held the first phase training and empowerment of religious leaders in January prior to the 2023 general elections in Lagos state and Nigeria at large.