PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, state governors, clergymen and other notable Nigerians yesterday joined others in felicitating with Christians as they celebrate Christmas, the anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ.
They also challenged Nigerians to commit themselves to contributing more positively towards making Nigeria a better country.
In a statement issued by his spokesman, Mr Ima Niboro, President Jonathan noted that peace, stability and good governance were essential building blocks for national progress and development.
He used the occasion to reaffirm his administration’s determination to ensure that next year’s elections are peaceful and free of violence.
He, therefore, urged all eligible Nigerians to register and vote to strengthen democratic institutions in the country, adding that his administration was fully committed to protecting the sanctity of votes in the 2011 elections.
According to the statement, the President "called on Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the ennobling ideals and virtues of faith in God, love for others, selflessness, honesty, peaceful co-existence, tolerance and dedication to duty, which Jesus Christ preached and which His life on earth exemplified.
"The President also urged Nigerians to seize the opportunity of the Christmas holidays to reflect and commit themselves to contributing much more positively, in any way they can, towards making Nigeria a better country for its entire people.
In her own Christmas message, the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, also urged Nigerian Christians to emulate the virtues of Jesus Christ who came into the world to redeem mankind.
Mrs. Jonathan noted that among the teachings of Christ, whose birth is being celebrated at Christmas, are selflessness, love, peace and tolerance.
She, therefore, urged all Nigerians to demonstrate the spirit of love and brotherliness by sharing with the less-priviledged ones in the society during this Christmas, so that they too could experience the joy of rebirth, which the Yuletide entails.
The First Lady further advised Nigerian women to use the Christmas period to strengthen their family bond, noting that once the family is united and at peace, the society generally will enjoy peace and progress.
Mrs. Jonathan further advised Nigerian women to use the period to strengthen their family bond, adding that once the family is united and peaceful, the society generally will enjoy peace and progress.
She also urged Nigerians to use the period to pray for the continued peace, progress and prosperity of Nigeria.
The First Lady further urged Nigerians to pray for successful elections and peaceful transition next year.
In the same vein, the Kwara State Governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki, charged Christians to reflect on the virtues and teachings of Jesus Christ so that Nigeria and, indeed, the world could become a better place to live in.
He also enjoined them to promote peace, love and unity and exhibit the spirit of tolerance in the pursuit of the vision of building a new Nigeria.
Saraki, who made the charge in his Christmas message to the people of the state, urged Nigerians to always portray the positive sides of the country and de-emphasise her negative sides.
He admonished Christians in the country to emulate Jesus Christ in words and deeds and imbibe the core lessons of love, tolerance, sacrifice, generosity and peaceful co-existence which Christ stood for.
In Anambra State, Governor Peter Obi called on Christians to reflect on ‘’the mystery of our salvation, which started with the birth of Christ, who paved a new way for us to attain eternity.
"This period of Yuletide calls for celebration. But, more importantly, it offers us the opportunity to live the ideals of charity, love, peace and harmonious co-existence, which Christ preached."
In Kaduna, Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) asked Christians in the country to shun ethno-religious sentiments capable of disrupting peace in the country as the nation match toward another round of elections.
In his Christmas message to the people of the state, Yakowa asked Christians to pray for the smooth conduct of the 2011 elections and come out en masse to register during the forthcoming voter registration exercise as a way of ensuring the emergence of credible leaders in the country.
The message was signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Reuben Buhari.
The ACF, in a message signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Anthony Sani, asked Nigerians not to lose sight of the import of the event, which is a new dawn for humanity.
Also former Secretary to Delta State Government (SSG), Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, urged all Christians, particularly Deltans, to keep hope alive, ensure peace and harmonious co-existence with all men.
Okowa, who is a senatorial aspirant for Delta North Senatorial District, in a goodwill message to all Deltans, advised that all must give peace a chance during the period of the celebration so as to give good meaning to the festive period.
Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, charged Christian faithful to use the Christmas period to demonstrate their love for one another in order to fulfill the significance of the season.
Chief Orji noted that the essence of the celebration of the birth of Christ was to herald the coming of a Saviour that will take away the sins of the world.
The governor further recalled all the positive things that were recorded in the year and how God answered the prayers of His people by the way all the criminal elements in state were routed by security agents.
While he assured the people of the state of better things in the coming year, Governor Orji promised that the rapid infrastructural revolution recorded within this very short space of the liberation from those who plundered the people’s commonwealth, was only a tip of the iceberg as the state woud record an unhindered development during his second term in office.
In his comments, the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, congratulated Christian faithful across the country, especially those in the FCT as they mark this year’s Christmas and New Year.
He urged Christians to use the occasion to reflect on the life of Jesus Christ and continue to imbibe His teachings, which are premised on selflessness, sacrifice, patience, modesty and spirituality.
Senator Mohammed enjoined them to pray for the nation and for the success of the country’s leadership under President Goodluck Jonathan (GCFR) for God to continue to guide, protect and give him the wisdom to steer the affairs of state.
Senator Mohammed admonished Christians to imbibe the spirit of Christmas, especially the lessons from the life and times of Jesus Christ and thus allow them to be reflected in their daily lives.
While thanking God for sparing people’s lives to witness this year’s Christmas/New Year celebrations, the minister further enjoined all Nigerians, irrespective of our religious beliefs and political inclinations to continue to live in peace and harmony with one another as well as be their brothers’ keepers which, he said, was also in consonance with African tradition.
He expressed the commitment of the FCT administration to providing an enabling environment that would ensure that Abuja maintains its lead role as an all-inclusive city in the country.
The minister assured that all security outfits in the FCT were adequately prepared to be on top of any unexpected criminal activity during and after the festivity period.
Senator Mohammed called on all residents of the FCT to come out en-masse to participate in the forthcoming voters registration exercise.
As the 2011 general elections are just around the corner, the minister also called on Christians to take advantage of the holy celebration to pray for peaceful elections in the country.
He assured that the FCT administration would continue to guarantee the security of the lives and property of all residents of the FCT, irrespective of people’s political or religious affiliations.
No comments:
Post a Comment