Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN on Monday blamed the lack of respect for rule of law as the main cause of Nigeria’s problems.

He gave the diagnosis at the opening ceremony of the 3rd Session of the 32nd Synod of the Diocese of Lagos, Church of Nigeria.

The Governor who spoke at the St- Saviours Anglican Church, Marina, Lagos, added that law and order is perhaps the most important issue which the nation has not focused on, saying that if a comparison is drawn between the Nigeria of today and what it looked like 30 years ago, the difference really is in law and order.

“The homes we live in today are more beautiful than the homes of 40 years ago. We have begun to build even bigger palaces. Forty years ago, how many people had air-conditioning in the offices? They worked with ceiling fans but the truth is, are we happier today than we were 40 years ago. The difference is law and order”, he added.

On the nation’s economy, the Governor said despite the fact that the nation is drilling more oil now, it is clear that the nation is not more prosperous because of a failure of law and order.

Giving a simple arithmetic breakdown, Fashola said if 400,000 barrels of crude oil that is lost daily is multiplied by $59 Dollars which is the cost in the international market, it would amount to approximately more than $ 20 million dollars that is lost daily to oil theft.

“When you have over 20 states not being able to pay salaries simply because there is no money you can begin to quantify the losses that we collectively suffered because of the failure of law and order, but that is not where it ends. When over 200 children suddenly disappears into thin air, it is a failure of law and order, no more no less”, he stressed.

The Governor posited that criminal activities are not limited to this part of the world but the law and order response is what needs to be ramped up if the country must make progress, reiterating that law and order is not just about security and agencies but what is required by everyone is to show leadership in the place where he is a leader such as in the homes, in the churches and the mosques.

Urging cooperation for the incoming administration at various levels, especially the Governor-elect of Lagos, Fashola said the support would translate to good governance for the benefit of all.

Earlier, the President of the Synod and Diocesan Bishop of Lagos and Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Rev. Ephraim Ademowo commended the Governor for his eight years of selfless service in the State.

He added that each time the reality dawns on him that the Governor would soon be serving out his tenure of office, he becomes afraid but he is assured that the President-Elect, Muhammadu Buhari is the leader that will take Nigeria out of the woods.

The wife of the Diocesan President, Mrs Oluranti Ademowo on behalf of the Diocese also presented plaques of appreciation to the Governor for a job well done in Lagos over the past eight years and another one to the First Lady, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola for providing the strong support on the home front.

The opening ceremony attracted many leaders of the Church including the Lord Chancellor, Justice George Oguntade (JSC) Rtd and clergymen representing the various Dioceses of the Anglican Church nationwide.