Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has begged Nigerians to ignore ethnicity and religious bigotry if they want to fasten national development.

He revealed this today at the 3rd Annual Lecture of Freedom Online with the theme, “Nigeria: Foundation, Fundamental, Future,” held in Ikeja, Lagos.

According to him, “We should stop using ethnicity and religion to divide ourselves, no nation in history has developed on the basis of religion and ethnic animosity.”

He added that it was compulsory for Nigeria to evolve, battle problems and find answers to the issues Nigeria is presently facing because the country has what it takes to tackle its issues.

His words, “States should be in control of their oil, power, transportation and security.

“We must support government in terms of agricultural revolution in order to sustain our economy.

“States should be free to control drilling of oil and mining of solid minerals and pay the required axes and royalties to the federation account.

“There is no reason why states cannot generate and distribute electricity and license same, within their geographical limits, thereby making necessary returns to the federation account.”

Otunba Gbenga Daniel added, “Those who have money should invest in the economy of the country, we must discourage capital flights and make legislation that would enforce all to invest in the economy,”

“The state government should be empowered to do more in securing lives and property of the people.

“Therefore, I support regional policing.”

Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, also said, “Government should localise security to ensure safety of lives and property because at end of the day, this is paramount to all,”

“Governors should allow local governments work effectively without interference.

“They should be strengthened to work and their allocations should be given to them as and when due.”