Buhari, Saraki, others preach peace at Xmas

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has admonished Nigerians to respect constituted authorities and be their brothers’ keepers in words and deeds.
In a Christmas message made available to the media in Abuja on Saturday, President Buhari rejoiced with Nigerians, particularly Christians, on this year’s celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
He noted that it was very appropriate for citizens to reflect on the love of God aptly espoused in the teachings and lifestyle of Jesus Christ.
The president recalled that during his earthly sojourn, Jesus Christ repeatedly reminded his disciples and followers of the peace that comes in the midst of trials and tribulations on earth.
“There is no better time than now in our nation’s history to pray for divine guidance to get over our current challenges.
“We can have peace in Nigeria if we all learn to tolerate and appreciate one another, respect constituted authorities; and be our brothers’ keepers in word and deed,” he stated.
President Buhari called for special prayers for all the nation’s heroic citizens who paid the supreme price to restore peace and security in the North-East and other flashpoints in the country.
He assured that his administration’s immediate priority was to alleviate the poverty of Nigerians by quickly stimulating the economy.
Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Saturday, also felicitated with the Christian faithful.
Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, urged Nigerians to use the Yuletide to rededicate themselves to the service of humanity in line with the true teachings of Jesus Christ which emphasises selflessness, piety, brotherly kindness and love towards one another.
He reiterated the commitment of the eighth Senate at ensuring that the country regained its pride among the comity of nations through relevant and timely legislations. He said the nation could only be out of the woods when the citizenry resonated the teachings of Christ.
“This is the season of love and forgiveness. It should not be seen only as a merrymaking period but as a time to pray fervently for a peaceful and prosperous nation. As a nation, we have passed through series of challenges but the fact remains that we can only surmount our economic crisis if we stay united, extend hands of fellowship to one another and be law-abiding.
“We must also rededicate ourselves to the ennobling virtues of faith in God, love for one another, honesty and peaceful coexistence. It is time to make these virtues more evident and practical in our daily lives,” Saraki stated.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, in his message, through a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Turaki Hassan, urged Christians to walk in Christ’s footsteps of love and peace towards one another, their neighbours and to humanity as a whole.
Dogara noted that faithful adherence to the virtues of Jesus Christ, including love, unity, sacrifice and peaceful coexistence, which constitute the fundamental ingredients for development of any nation, will lead to the growth and stability of Nigeria.
While wishing Nigerians a happy celebration, Dogara assured Nigerians that the House is working tirelessly to ensure that the promises in the Change Agenda are delivered for the benefit of all Nigerians in the shortest possible time.
In the same vein, Deputy Speaker, Honourable Lasun Yussuff, urged Nigerians to remain united in the spirit of the Yuletide.
He equally urged them to emulate the life of Christ and eschew violence and corruption that is capable of bringing the country down.
The Deputy Speaker in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Wole Oladimeji, also asked Nigerians to always strive towards doing things that would further strengthen the unity of the nation.