Speeches

St. Thomas Moore Catholic Chapel Dedication And Fund Raising Appeal For The Building Of Its Multi-Purpose Hall

Apr 18, 2009 - I wish to begin my remarks by congratulating the entire Catholic community in Lagos and Unilag in particular on this special occasion. I am aware that building in God’s name and for God’s purposes has been a long time practice in every generation of those worshipping God. There is nothing as noble, rewarding and fulfilling as being part of a project done in God’s name. After all, the divine purpose for our existence is to worship our maker, serve Him and serve humanity.

I commend the management, Chaplain and the entire Catholic faithful of St. Thomas Moore Catholic Chapel for the vision and the courage to build this chapel and the proposed multi-purpose Hall. The Holy book exhorts us to sow bountifully so that we can reap bountifully. There is no better place to demonstrate this law now than in this house of worship. All of us who have deemed it fit to come together and contribute towards the building of this chapel for the singular purpose of worshipping God should consider ourselves as the anointed vessels to achieve this goal. I have the confidence then to say that they have sown rightly and I know they will reap that which is good.

I am therefore, delighted to join the Catholic community, students and well-wishers in dedicating this chapel and appeal for fund for the building of its multi-purpose hall.

I am particularly excited that this chapel is rightly situated in an academic environment. Notwithstanding that the University already has a place of worship which is inter-denominational; the new St. Thomas Moore Catholic chapel would complement its effort in providing spiritual succour to this academic community. As a place where future leaders are moulded, it would expectedly serve as an avenue where good morals, leadership skills and the love of God would be inculcated so that we can turn out leaders that uphold morals, possess good leadership skills to contribute to the development of the larger society.

I strongly believe that religions play a significant role in this effort of raising God-fearing, competent and resourceful leader. Whether Christian or Islamic religions, it is high time we exploit the tenets preached in these religions to bring up our children to be better citizens in the larger society. Exposing our children to the timeless spiritual essence of our religions have the potency to discourage them from cultism, gangterism, drug abuse, examination malpractice, avoidable riots, sexual perversion and armed robbery among other social vices prevalent in our days.

At different religious occasions I always like to remind our men of God that our religious leaders should see their calling as very sacred and complementary to the efforts of political office holders. As we strive in our way, as the elected leaders of the people, to formulate and implement policies that will enhance the welfare of the citizens, religious leaders must complement that effort by preaching against social vices and negative values that will impede our collective well-being.

I believe that the dedication of this chapel will definitely mark a turning point in the services rendered by the Catholic Community here to the larger Campus Community. I am confident that the structure will be used as an instrument of change, a place of true worship to God Almighty and self discovery and enlightenment to our students, lecturers and workers.

More importantly, ladies and gentlemen, this is an occasion that gives all of us the opportunity to sow into this work of God. It affords many of us who did not have the opportunity to contribute towards the building of this chapel to contribute to the building of the multi-purpose Hall.

I believe the multi-purpose hall will also complement the efforts of the Catholic Church to render services to God and humanity. The church will serve as a spiritual development of the souls and the multi-purpose hall will enable diverse people and religions have easy access to facilities for different functions, and activities. The students generally would benefit from a project like this to organize conferences, workshops, symposia and other academic-related functions that they would have otherwise found difficult to have access to.

I, therefore, would like to challenge everyone here today to join me through your generous donations and contributions to this worthy project. Remember, givers never lack and whatever we do for God endures for ever because it goes with a reward; investing into God’s work can never go unrewarded. This kind of investment can never suffer economic meltdown, am I right? So let’s give generously.

Once again, I congratulate all men of goodwill who have contributed to the completion of this chapel due for dedication today because I know that your reward is sure. I also thank the authority of the University of Lagos that have counted it worthy to support the project and the Catholic Church community who considers it worthwhile to dedicate this house of worship to the service of God.

I would also once again like to appeal to all of us here through our resources, money and influence to wholeheartedly support the building of the multi-purpose hall of St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church Chapel. Remember God counts on you, even with your widow’s mite.

I have the pleasure, ladies and gentlemen, to therefore, join in the dedication of the St. Thomas Moore Catholic Chapel to the glory of God, spiritual reawakening of our students and staff and service to this academic community.

Thank you and God bless.

Eko O Ni Baje O!

BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA, SAN
EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR,
LAGOS STATE