Christmas: Buhari, Atiku, govs, CAN, ACF, others task Christians on love, humility

President Muhammadu Buhari; former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila; governors, lawmakers, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and others, on Tuesday tasked Nigerians on love and humility as Christians celebrate Christmas.

In separate messages to mark the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, they also charged Nigerians to be committed to the unity and
peaceful coexistence of the country.

In a message he personally signed and released on Tuesday to mark Christmas, President Buhari urged citizens “to imbibe and demonstrate the essence of the season of love, goodwill among all the ethnic groups in the country, giving and sharing, strengthening the bonds of brotherhood and good neighbourliness and focusing on all that bind us together as one united
country.”

Buhari felicitated Christians and in particular and all Nigerians in general, on the occasion commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ.

“It is in line with the spirit of Christmas that I call on all elements whose actions are opposed to what the season represents, especially insurgents, terrorists, armed robbers, kidnappers and economic saboteurs, to retrace their steps and join people of goodwill and common humanity.

“If they fail to heed this call, they will meet their end as the armed forces, security and law enforcement agencies are poised now to confront and defeat them. Our people must make extra efforts to live in peace and harmony with their neighbours, irrespective of differences,” the president said.

Former vice president, Abubakar in a message released in Abuja by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, asked Nigerians to allow love and hope be their guiding principle as they mark the festivities.

The former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 elections stressed that Nigerians, notably the Christian community, should be thankful to God that the Christmas festivities heralding the birth of Jesus Christ have come again.

The Waziri Adamawa noted that love was the conqueror of all things, including the challenges and tribulations that befell many people during the year and that having
come thus far to celebrate Christmas, hope should remain the watchword of the faithful that the future would be better.

He urged Christians to celebrate with all their heart and extend their joy to all their neighbours, including their fellow countrymen.

Senator Lawan in his Christmas message urged Christians and Nigerians in general not to forget the essence of the season, which is a reminder of the birth of Jesus Christ and the ideals for which he lived.

He said Jesus lived and preached peace, love, tolerance and self-sacrifice, and left mankind with the hope of eternal joy, noting that these virtues transcend religion and deserve to be embraced by all Nigerians, especially “as we go through the challenges of nation-building and development.

“In the spirit of the season, we as a people and government must remember the weak and the most vulnerable in our midst and do the best we can to bring them succour
and help them to also feel the joy of the season.”

Speaker of the House of Reresentatives Gbajabiamila, urged Nigerians especially Christian faithful, to offer special prayers for the continuous unity and peaceful coexistence among the citizens.

He also urged Christians to use the occasion to pray for the country to overcome its challenges, including insecurity in some parts of the country.

The Speaker, who described Christmas as a time for sober reflections, tasked all the Christian faithful to imbibe the virtues of Jesus Christ, adding that at a time like this, Nigerians should come together and celebrate with one another as well as pray for their leaders to lead them well for the good of the country.

Deputy Speaker, Honourable Idris Wase and the Minority Leader, Honourable Ndudi Elumelu, also saluted Nigerians at Christmas
Wase enjoined Christians across the country to emulate the lifestyle of Jesus Christ who lived and preached love, peace and harmony among human beings.

Elumelu, on his part, urged Nigerians to use the occasion of Christmas to rekindle their love and respect for one another which he said were necessary to promote coexistence in the country.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, on Tuesday, called on Nigerians to always embrace peace and continue to extend love to one another in the spirit of Christmas.

In a Christmas message to the people of the state, Akeredolu expressed the belief that there is nothing comparable to peace which is synonymus to development.

According to the governor, the deliberate desire to tolerate one another and share love by extending their hands of love to one another can help to build a strong society.

On his part, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, in a Christmas message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, said: “Notwithstanding our differences, we are all from Adam
and one lesson from this season (the birth of Christ) is the need to love and look after one another.

“We should think always about the legacy of love, mutual respect and willingness to help one another in good or hard time.

“We call on Nigerians, especially Kwarans, to do more to foster love and peace this season and beyond, because a major selling point of the state is the calm and peaceful
disposition of our people.”

Oyo State governor, Mr Seyi Makinde, in a goodwill message made available in Ibadan, said every resident and indigene of Oyo State
needed to imbibe the lessons of harmonious coexistence to engender development in the state and Nigeria generally.

A statement on behalf of Governor Makinde by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Taiwo Adisa, confirmed that the governor asked Nigerians to take appropriate notice of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, whose birth is being celebrated at Christmas.

According to the governor, the essence of the Yuletide should not be lost on all, adding that the celebrations should be to the effect that peaceful coexistence is the key driver of development anywhere in the world any time.

Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, called on Christians to use this Christmas to promote love, peace and unity.

In a Christmas message on Tuesday, he urged Christian faithful to remain committed to the worthy ideals exemplified by the birth of Jesus Christ as they celebrate the
season.

He advised the people of the state to use the season to deepen their faith in God as He has the solution to all societal challenges, while he assured the people that his administration was working with all security agencies to ensure a peaceful celebration.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transport, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari has urged Nigerians to be optimistic and work towards the greatness and peaceful coexistence of the country.

In a statement on Tuesday, the acting Chief Whip of the Senate, signed by his media office, said with God all things are possible.

“We are not where we were yesterday. I believe with our consistent efforts and prayers, we will get to where we should be very soon,” he said.