As Christians in Nigeria join the rest of the world to celebrate Christmas, state governors have also sent out messages of felicitation and admonition to citizens of the country.
Lagos State Governor, 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 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,” Ambode said in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna.
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.
Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, on his part 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.
Aregbesola, in a Christmas message by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, 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.
“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,” Aregbesola said.
Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, also 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 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 provide 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.
