Sylva calls for selflessness

BAYELSA State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva has said that the major lesson in this year’s Yuletide for all Nigerians is the need for selfless commitment to the good of the fatherland.

He spoke in Yenagoa during the 2010 Christmas celebration when he sent a goodwill message to people of the state and other Nigerians.

Sylva said: "with the nation facing the challenge of elections next year and the citizens coming out of the experience of the last 50 years of nationhood and looking ahead to new destinies in the next half century, the least we can do to forward our collective and individual causes for good life is to ensure selflessness in our relationship to Nigeria and fellow citizens of Nigeria at all times."

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Doifie Ola, Sylva also noted: "2010 is perhaps one of the most challenging years the country has seen since independence in 1960. But I thank God for His mercies and grace to overcome. It is by His mercies that the nation was not consumed in the uncertainties following the illness and death of our former president, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. It is by God's mercies that we achieved the seamless succession of President Goodluck Jonathan; and it is by His mercies that we would achieve a smooth transition to another political dispensation next year.”

The governor also prayed for the good of the nation and its leaders at all levels and enjoined Bayelsans, particularly, and Nigerians, generally, to emulate the life of Christ.

Noting that "Jesus Christ offered Himself for the good of mankind. He is God’s best gift to man. The best gift we can give in return for the goodness of God this season is selfless devotion to the good of fellow men irrespective of political or other identities," the governor stressed.

The Bayelsan governor further offered a piece of advise to all Nigerians. He said: "as we prepare for next year’s general elections, my message to fellow Bayelsans and other Nigerians seeking elective positions -and their followers alike -is that they should imbibe the Christly attributes of peace, self-sacrifice, care for the downtrodden, gentility, humaneness, patience, and love," while expressing hope that next year would be a better year for Bayelsa State, Nigeria and the world.