Christmas: Buhari, Atiku, Umahi, Tambuwal, Shettima, Ambode, Fayemi, Ugwuanyi, Aregbesola counsel, felicitate with Christians

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Nigerians, especially Christians, to rededicate themselves to the virtues of peace, love, honesty, justice, equity, piety, humility and service to others which Jesus Christ taught.
In a Christmas message, the President said that “there can be no doubt that a greater manifestation of these virtues and ideals in our lives will immensely help us to become a more united, peaceful, secure and progressive nation.”
He charged that Nigerians should “reach out in love and compassion to fellow Nigerians who are in distress at this period of our nation’s history.
“I particularly urge you all to remember victims of terrorism and insurgency in the country, especially Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
“The Federal Government will continue to collaborate with state governments and other stakeholders to ease the harsh conditions in IDP camps, while the ultimate objective remains to quickly put an end to insurgency and return the IDPs to their homes.
“We must never again allow any group to hold the nation to ransom under whatever guise.
“Let us also not allow current socio-economic and security challenges to dampen our expectations for a better Nigeria,” he said, stressing that “this administration has taken a number of measures to restore hope to our people. The 2016 Budget defines our commitment to giving Nigeria a new lease of life.
“Our change slogan is not a campaign gimmick but a promise that must be kept. We are determined to bring about tangible changes in the lives of our people.
“In this regard, efforts will be intensified to recover stolen funds, block revenue leakages and enthrone due process, transparency and accountability,” he pointed out, insisting that “public office is a public trust that must be held to the highest ethical standards.”
Former Vice President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar congratulated the entire Christian faithful in Nigeria and all Nigerians on the occasion of this year’s Christmas celebration marking the birth of Jesus Christ, December 25.
In a press release issued in Abuja by his Media Office, Thursday, the Turaki Adamawa said the birth of Christ shows God’s love for mankind as well as rekindles hope that the creator wishes that His people will live a full and happy life on earth and hereafter if they follow the example of Jesus Christ.
Atiku Abubakar stated that the season is one of hope reborn just like hope and confidence is born anew in our country Nigeria with the ascension to power of a government that is preaching the gospel of change and renewal and have taken sure-footed steps to show that a new era is here.
The former Vice President said this year’s celebration is significant and special because it was in this year’s national elections that the 16 year old prayer of the Nigerian people of all faiths for a purposeful and more responsive government was answered with a new government and a new political party in power.
The Turaki said the long national prayers and supplication for a good leader was answered with the election of Muhammadu Buhari as President who is well-known as a man of integrity and who abhors corruption.
The APC chieftain encouraged all Nigerians to use the period of celebration to show love to one another irrespective of their religious beliefs and to reflect on the love of God which is always so abundant and overflowing.
Acknowledging that ‘the economic situation in the country is not rosy at the moment,’ the former Vice President enjoined the Christian community and all Nigerians to ‘celebrate with joy, in the understanding that the future of the country would be better.’
On his part, the Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi charged Christians to imbibe ‘the eternal message of Christmas which is pinned on love and peace.’
In a message to mark this year’s Christmas celebration, Umahi also urged the Christians to shun religion of convenience that celebrates wealth, pleasure and power without love and peace.
‘’We should be prepared to live like Jesus Christ to qualify eminently to answer Christians. We should be our brother’s keeper and respect legally constituted authorities so that it shall be well with us.
‘’Ebonyi is our Jerusalem and as Christians prayed for the good of Jerusalem, so we shall be praying for the good of our dear state,’’ he said.
The governor used the occasion ‘to reiterate his determination to make the state number one in the country through the on-going aggressive infrastructural development despite dwindling allocation from the Federal Government and poor Internally Generated Revenue of the state.’
“There shall be a renewal; a renewal in the transport system, a renewal in road construction and a renewal in the educational system. ‘You will flow with the wind of massive transformation currently going on in the state,’’ Umahi added.
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State called on Borno citizens to use the Christmas and upcoming New Year season to deeply reflect, pray and be dedicated towards the speedy rebuilding of communities and public institutions for social services destroyed by insurgents, the resettlement of affected victims as well as the creation of alternative means for them.
He made the call in his Christmas message issued by his spokesman, Malam Isa Gusau in Maiduguri on Thursday.
The Governor said while citizens who are not directly affected by the insurgency plan to enjoy the long Christmas holiday, they should make out time to think about the severe trauma faced by over 1.5 million sons and daughters of Borno State who were forced out of their communities to either become internally displaced in Government controlled camps or live in strange places that include taking refuge outside Nigeria.
“I, on behalf of Borno State Government felicitate with my Christian brothers and sisters in Borno State at Christmas and pray for a peaceful and joyful celebration. I respectfully appeal to all citizens to use the festive reason to deeply reflect on the plight of fellow citizens who currently live outside their homes following vicious attacks by insurgents in many communities across our dear State. These affected citizens, more than 1.5 million of them, internally displaced (within Nigeria) as well as those taking refuge in neighbouring countries, are under severe trauma haven lost relations, children, sources of livelihood and forced to live outside their homes.
“Many of them have been turned from highly enterprising employers of labour, importers and exporters of goods and services to becoming jobless beggars that depend entirely on alms. We should not only reflect on their conditions, comfort and support them but also pray and commit ourselves to the current efforts of Government to speedily reconstruct their communities with all essential social services put back and made functional; rehabilitation to give them new sources of livelihood and reintegrating them back to rebuilt communities.
“The Borno State Government is determined to achieve these before the second quarter of 2016 in anticipation of full restoration of peace. In fact, the Government is already working aggressively in phases. All citizens have a duty to support sincere efforts towards these reconstruction works so that together we shall return our brothers and sisters to not just their ancestral homes but to remodeled and befitting homes that should be better than those destroyed. I enjoin all citizens to be law abiding throughout the festive season and beyond. The State Government in active collaboration with security agencies, is doing everything humanly possible, to ensure a peaceful festive season,” Shettima said.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State called on Christians to use the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ to offer special prayers for the progress of the nation and dedicate their lives to the service of God and advancement of peace and tolerance in the country.
In a message signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Louis Amoke, Governor Ugwuanyi said that Christmas celebration offers Christians the opportunity to reflect on their relationship with God and how to use their service to humanity to fulfill His Will.
The Governor noted that the birth of Christ which marks the beginning of salvation of mankind and power over the forces of darkness can only be appreciated if Christians can tolerate one another and dedicate themselves to things that would promote peace and the Will of God. He added that it is only through prayers and faith in God that the nation can surmount all her challenges.
He therefore called on Nigerians to continue to offer special prayers for the unity and progress of the country especially at this trying moment of economic recession, expressing optimism that 2016 will be a better year, in consideration of the efforts being made at all levels of government to revitalize the economy.
Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode enjoined Nigerians to embrace the virtues of love and peaceful coexistence that the season symbolises, just as he urged them to refrain from activities that could trigger unrest and disunity.
The Governor, in his Christmas goodwill message to residents of the State, said that as the nation continues to anticipate the change promised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governments at the Centre and state levels, it is only through peaceful co-existence and atmosphere that any positive change can materialise.
“The season of Christmas is one that exemplifies the virtues of love and peaceful co-existence. We must continue to extend a hand of love and live as one family irrespective of our creed or colour. We must also continue to respect each other’s right to live freely and peacefully,” the Governor said in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna.
He said the security challenges which the country is facing now should not be used as an avenue to create division along ethnic and religious lines by some politicians who are blanketly engaging in name-calling of political opponents.
Governor Ambode said Nigeria over the years has continued to draw strength from its diversity, saying that Nigerians must therefore stand together and resist any attempt by any individual or group of persons to highlight such ethnic differences to further their selfish ends or fan embers of disunity.
He urged residents to be safety and security conscious, especially during the festive period and refrain from habits that could endanger their lives including indulging in drinking and driving and other social vices.
He also encouraged residents not to hesitate to report all suspicious activities around them by using the Toll free lines 767 and 112, reminding that the business of securing lives and property could not be left to the security agencies alone.
“The period of Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ who is the symbol of Christianity and the harbinger of peace, love and good tidings and there is no better way to celebrate the season than by showing love and being our brother’s keeper”, the Governor said.
While wishing all Lagosians a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year in advance, the Governor also called on Lagosians to “resolve to emphasize only those things that unite us and de-emphasize all those things that separate us”.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on his part, congratulated Christians in the country for witnessing this year’s Christmas celebration, urging them to continue to work and pray for peace, as well as live peacefully with one another and with adherents of other religions.
Specifically, he urged Nigerians to pray to God to bless the efforts of the present administration in ensuring an all round development and progress for the country.
According to Fayemi, Christmas is a season to give and expect little in return; a time to preach peace and love; a time to forgive, live in harmony and seek the face of the King of kings.
The minister, in his Christmas goodwill message, signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Olayinka Oyebode, said that God used the birth of Jesus Christ to demonstrate His love for mankind.
Fayemi noted that being alive to witness another Christmas should be seen as a privilege, judging by the prevailing situation across the world. This, he said, calls for celebration.
He, however advised Christians to celebrate in moderation and to devote much time to appreciate God for His mercies and to reflect on the country, with a view to seeking God’s intervention.
While noting that Jesus Christ lived up to his name as the “Prince of Peace”, Fayemi called on all Nigerians, irrespective of their religious affiliations, to tow the line of peace.
He urged Christians to emulate Jesus Christ in words and deeds, adding: “God has used Christmas to teach us the lessons of humility and that He has the power to do all things.”
The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola urged Christians and people of other faiths to take advantage of the celebration of the birth of Jesus to pray for peace and the sustainability of a new Nigeria.
‎The Governor also enjoined Nigerians to always strive to be role models as Christ, according to him, lived and died propagating the message of love, peace and truth and co-existence among mankind.
The Governor, in his Christmas message by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, urged Christians to reflect and re-dedicate themselves to the teachings and lifestyle of Christ, which were anchored on sacrifice, love, peace and truth.
Specifically, Aregbesola reminded Nigerians of the need to intensify prayers for a new Nigeria which they voted for during the last presidential election that ushered in President Buhari who has a mandate to change the country.
He held that with the prayers of Nigerians, it is possible for citizens to have a country devoid of corruption, ethnicity rivalry and carnage of insurgency that are challenging peace in the North-East and other parts of Nigeria.
Aregbesola also enjoined Nigerians to be vigilant, saying people must learn to be their brothers’ keepers by reporting any strange faces and conducts within their communities to relevant authorities.
He stated that the country in its present economic challenges cannot afford the activities of insurgents, saying all hands must be on deck at ensuring that the Nation surmounts current socio-economic and security challenges.
The Governor said, “The time we are in as a country presently calls for prayers. We must all ensure that we do all we can do as citizens and leaders to move the country forward from the present economic and security challenges facing our country.
“Now that oil has failed us as a nation, we must all encourage ourselves to look inward and turn to agriculture. Before the advent of oil, we had all relied on agriculture, from the groundnut pyramids in the North to Cocoa in the South and palm produce from the East”.
He admonished citizens to also use the occasion of the birth of Jesus to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari so that he could fulfill all his electioneering campaign promises.‎
Similarly, the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, urged Nigerians to use the occasion of this year’s Christmas to pray for complete end to terrorist activities in the country.
In a message to commemorate this year’s Christmas issued by his spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal said with prayers, gains recorded by the security agencies in the fight against insurgency will be consolidated.
“We should all pray for a complete end to terrorist activities in our country. The coming year provides an opportunity for our country to start afresh. I am confident 2016 will be one of the most peaceful years in our country’s recent history,” the Governor said.
While wishing all Nigerians, especially those of Christian faith, a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year, Tambuwal ‘prayed for a hitch-free celebrations and holidays.’