As Christians all over the world commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ on Sunday, leaders and clerics have called on Nigerians to live in peace and tolerate one another in the spirit of the season.
Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, enjoined Christians to embrace goals and ideals that would promote national stability.
The governor’s media aide, Mr Richard Olatunde in a statement on Sunday in Akure quoted the governor as saying that Christians should reflect deeply on the reason for the season.
He noted that the birth of Jesus Christ is significant in many ways as it teaches love, tolerance and sacrifice.
Akeredolu urged Christians to shun religion profiling and embrace quality minds whose track records are alluring to lead Nigeria.
He prayed that God should strengthen the leaders to transform Ondo land and the residents, assuring that year 2023 would usher in peace, progress and prosperity for all.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State also expressed gratitude to God for the gift of life and the grace to celebrate another Christmas.
His Press Secretary, Mr Christian Aburime described Christmas as a time for hope and a season for a renewed inspiration from the Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, whose birthday was celebrated worldwide on this solemn occasion.
Soludo enjoined Ndi Anambra to embrace the timeless message of God’s love, hope and redemption of mankind which were the cardinal significance of the occasion.
He assured that adequate security was put in place for a hitch-free yuletide, adding that the vision to make Anambra a livable and prosperous homeland remained fully on course.
Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu pleaded with Nigerians to prioritise peaceful co-existence and be their brothers’ keepers, irrespective of religion, ethnic or political affiliations.
In his Christmas message on Sunday, the governor stated that the festive period is a time for reflections on the sterling messages of the yuletide, just as he harped on the need to utilise them to make Nigeria better.
He noted that such messages entail the spirit of giving by way of reaching out to the less-privileged, adding that Christmas is an auspicious time to offer fervent prayers for sustainable peace, unity and socio-economic prosperity of Nigeria.
Bagudu requested prayers for the restoration of security across the nation and the successful conduct of the 2023 general elections.
He pledged his administration’s commitment to continuously focus on interfaith harmony, as well as ensure that all the residents are comfortable to conduct their lawful activities.
Hitch-free Elections
The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello pleaded with Abuja residents to use this Christmas to pray for peaceful elections in the country.
In his Christmas message on Sunday, Bello reminded the residents that the FCT was built on the principles of peace, unity, and love for Nigeria and fellow citizens.
The minister noted that the residents had on numerous occasions, demonstrated these principles by exhibiting acts of kindness and compassion towards one another.
He stated that Christmas offered a unique opportunity for the residents to collectively pray for the country and her leaders, for guidance, wisdom and steadfast leadership as we approach the 2023 general elections.
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, however urged Nigerians to use the occasion and offer special prayers for hitch free elections nationwide.
His Special Adviser on Communications and Strategy, Mallam Isa Gusau in his Christmas message on Sunday said that Zulum pleaded with Christians to extend compassionate support to relatives, neighbours and friends, with less means to enjoy the festival.
He called on Nigerians, particularly religious leaders to commit the country in God’s hands.
Zulum pleaded with Nigerians to pray for peaceful transition especially at the presidential level, as well as pray for all parts of the country to fully regain peace and stability.
Clerics Want Christians To Emulate Thanksgiving
The Pastor incharge of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Mount Zion Cathedral, Bolumole, Ibadan, Pastor Sunday Oyewo, urged parishioners to emulate the culture of giving and Thanksgiving.
At his Christmas sermon on Sunday titled, “Perfect Gift’’, he encouraged Christians to emulate God Almighty who gave His only begotten son to redeem mankind.
He noted that God is the perfect Giver as demonstrated in John 3:16 which says: “For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.’’
The clergy recalled that man lost his worth in the Garden of Eden, but God, in His infinite mercy. redeemed mankind through the gift of Jesus.
Oyewo stated that everyone who received Christ would enjoy at least five benefits such as sufficiency and prosperity, success, fruitfulness, freedom from bondage and eternal glory.
The General Overseer, All Christians Fellowship Mission, Rev. William Okoye, also enjoined Nigerians to be hopeful and make positive utterances about the nation.
Okoye said that all shall be well with Nigeria, just as Jesus Christ was born.
Delivering his sermon in Abuja on Sunday, he added that the birth of Christ was a reminder that God is still with us and will do anything to save us.
Rev Okoye enjoined Christians not to take the love of God for granted and use every opportunity to serve and praise him.
The Parish Priest of St Finberrs’ Catholic Church, Rayfield, Jos, Rev. Fr. Godfrey Gopep, advised Christians to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness during the Christmas season.
In his message on Sunday in Jos, he said that the season calls for sober reflection and total forgiveness.
The cleric, who stated that Christmas stood for purity and love, advised Christians to desist from harbouring grudges against others.
Gopep advised youths to shun all forms of vices and immoral acts during the celebrations, just as he encouraged them to reflect towards more productive lifestyles.
Gaza Urges Electorate To Shun Sentiment
Member representing Kokona, Keffi and Karu Federal Constituency, Nasarawa Street, Jonathan Gaza, urged the electorate to shun sentiment and avoid compromising their vote in the 2023 general elections.
In his Christmas message on Sunday to his supporters in Keffi, Gaza commended the present administration for its commitment and determination to conduct free, fair and credible elections in 2023.
"We should take Christmas as a period of sober reflection, when we will take stock of what had happened through the year and begin to set new goals as we move into the new year", he said.
The lawmaker, who is the SDP candidate for the Constituency appreciated the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, initiated by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
LP Donates To 1,000 Osun Widows, Elderly
The Labour Party candidate for Ife Federal Constituency, Mr Olamide Awosunle has distributed foodstuffs to 1,000 widows and aged to celebrate Christmas.
At the distribution centre in Afewonro Parks, Enuwa, Ile-Ife, Osun on Sunday, Awosunle said that the gesture was part of his commitment to provid relief to the less privileged during the festive period.
He noted that the poverty rate in Nigeria is alarming, which raised the need to assist the aged, widows and the less privileged.
“As at today, over 133 million Nigerians have crossed the poverty line and this is quite unprecedented in the history of our country because it clearly shows we only have two classes now, which are the rich and the poor,” he said.
Awosunle, who is also the Special Assistant on Youth Development and Wealth Creations to Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, regretted that there is much suffering in the land.
He charged Christians to celebrate moderately and be thankful to God for sparing their lives.
Mrs Bisi Awofisayo, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked the donor for gesture.
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