Nigerian political, religious and temporal leaders have, in separate Christmas messages, urged their fellow country men and women to imbibe the teachings of Jesus Christ to move the nation to greatness.
The Anglican Primate of Nigeria, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, in his message, urged Christian faithful to imbibe the spirit of giving to rescue humanity.
Okoh who stated this on Christmas day in his sermon at the Cathedral Church of the Advent entitled ‘Worship the King’ stressed that Christ came at Christmas on a mission.
“Human condition can be improved in our country today, so either in our individual capacities, local government, state or federal government, we can do more to improve on our conditions.
“We can do better as humans and as a country and we must have it in mind that material for its sake is not worth having, it must be applied for its purpose.
“If you apply material or money for its purpose, then we will achieve a higher level of society, people will live better, people will work better, relationship will become better and people will be happier.
“Christ came to improve the relationship between man and God; Jesus came to save his people from their sins.
“The Bible said, policies are made to deliver the poor from the poor condition, rescuing people from bad conditions, we must make our policies at all levels right, starting from the family up to government levels,” he said.
In his goodwill message, the senate president, Mr. Ahmad Lawan, has asked Nigerians to embrace peace, love, tolerance and self-sacrifice, which, according to him, are the hallmark of the teachings of Jesus Christ.
He said beyond religion, the messages brought by Christ are important in nation-building and development.
The senate president also urged to 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.”
“The birth of Jesus Christ is a great example of humility. He lived and preached peace, love, tolerance and self-sacrifice, and left mankind with the hope of eternal joy.
“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.
“I wish you all journey mercies as you move around to share the season with family and loved ones and enjoin all to celebrate with moderation,” he said.
Lawan said the 9th national assembly, in its legislative agenda, had resolved to work for Nigeria by enacting legislation that would serve the generality of Nigerians.
“Your representatives in the assembly, since their inauguration six months ago, have devoted themselves to facilitating good governance and stimulating the economy to raise the standard of living of Nigerians.
“Their decisions on critical sectors of the economy, before they adjourned for the Christmas and New Year, were essential to make year 2020 and beyond prosperous for all. ALSO READ: Sanwo-Olu declares free bus ride on Christmas for commuters
“The amendment to the Deep Off-shore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act, the Fiscal Policy laws, Procurement Act and the timely passage of the 2020 Budget, which was promptly assented to by the President, signpost the determination of the Assembly to work for Nigerians,” he said.
In his message, the governor of Enugu State, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State called on Nigerians to take advantage of the religious event to offer special prayers for sustained peace, unity and progress of the country.
He said Christma offers yet another opportunity for Nigerians to promote peace, good virtues, love and unity as well as dedicate their lives to the service of God.
He thanked Enugu State citizens for their love, unceasing prayers, goodwill, solidarity and support, reassuring them of his firm resolve to sustain the tempo of peace and good governance in the state as well as continue to serve them with the fear of God.
Similarly, the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, expressed deep gratitude to citizens of the state for their collective will and resolve to stand for peace, unity and development for the state.
The governor who stated this in his broadcast to the people in Uyo yesterday “as we celebrate Christmas, the season of peace, love and goodwill, I ask you again to continue to embrace the peace, unity and development which we have pursued and promoted the past four and half years. I urge you to invest more, by your thoughts, deeds and actions on those things that unify us around our common purpose of living in a prosperous and peaceful state and to forswear indulging in divisive tendencies”.
He urged interest and political groups to rise above seeking personal gains and join hands with his administration to work for the overall good of the state.
“Let me again, extend my hands of fellowship to my brothers and sisters on the opposite side of the political divide to come join me in building this piece of God’s real estate.
“There are no redeeming values in antagonizing the leadership of the State or working to negate the gains we have collectively achieved or financing the publication of unsanitized materials on the developments and vision we have provided simply because you disagree with the leader or the party that controls the State.
“The interest of Akwa Abasi Ibom State is deeper and profoundly more significant than our personal interests. When we de-market our State and the leadership, when we intentionally manufacture non-existent situations aimed at portraying our State in less than attractive manner, we should remember that we are putting in jeopardy the future of our children whom we should all work to secure.
“Political parties like I said during the Carol night represent vehicles to seek power; we should not allow the flaming passions of partisanship affect the cord of our unity and brotherhood. My doors are wide open and phone lines also are open to engage my brothers and sisters on the other side. Come, let us build our land,” he said.
