Governors of Lagos, Kogi, Ondo, Plateau and Gombe states on Saturday called on Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of love and tolerance which were some of the virtues of Jesus Christ.
The governors, in their separate Christmas messages, expressed the need for Nigerians to be united and leave in peace.
In his Christmas message, the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, specifically said Nigerians, especially residents of the state, should continue to live in peace and harmony as they celebrate the remembrance of the birth of Christ.
He also appealed to Lagosians to celebrate the season of the birth of Jesus Christ with moderation.
The governor gave the charge in his Christmas message while speaking to journalists in Lagos on Saturday and reiterated his administration’s commitment to deliver more dividends of democracy to citizens.
He added, “I just want to assure our citizens that the government and the people of Lagos State will continue to be law-abiding. We will continue to live in peace and harmony among ourselves, and even as we go into this yuletide season, let us celebrate with moderation and know that the season is for us also to reflect and ensure that as New Year comes in, it is for bigger and greater things to happen.”
Also, the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Mohammed, the governor urged citizens to emulate God’s love for mankind by replicating the same to their neighbours during this season through acts of generosity towards the less-privileged citizens.
In his Christian message, the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, called on Christians across the country to imbibe the lessons of the birth and life of Jesus Christ.
The governor’s Christmas message was contained in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Richard Olatunde, on Saturday.
Governor Akeredolu said, “We must reflect deeply on the reason for the season. The birth of Jesus Christ is significant in many ways. It teaches love, tolerance and sacrifice. Let us be deliberate in imbibing the lessons in this season.”
Also, his counterpart from Plateau State, Simon Lalong, tasked Christian leaders to mobilise their followers to participate in political processes in the country.
His spokesman, Dr Makut Macham, stated in Jos on Saturday that the governor gave the charge at a dinner he organised on Friday for the Christian leaders to sensitise their followers on their roles.
In a related development, Governor Muhammadu Yahaya of Gombe State charged the Christian faithful to uphold the tenets of love, sacrifice and tolerance as symbolised by Jesus Christ.
In a message of felicitation made available to journalists by his Director-General, Press Affairs, Ismaila Misilli, Yahaya enjoined Christians in the state and all Nigerians alike to sustain their abiding faith in God and maintain peace, unity and virtues that promote the progress of the state and the country.
From Edo State, Governor Godwin Obaseki, urged Christians to use the period to show care and reflect on the life of Jesus Christ and His teachings on love and sacrifice.
End killings – Cleric
Speaking in a Christmas message, the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga, urged Nigerians to use the occasion to show love, end violence and killings in the country.
This is contained in a statement by Padre Mike Umoh, the National Director of Social Communications in Abuja on Saturday
Also in his Christmas message, His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, enjoined Christians to see the birth of Jesus Christ t as a source of hope.
This was contained in a statement by Padre Mike Umoh, the National Director of Social Communications in Abuja on Saturday.
He said the divine infant remained the source of hope that the Almighty God woul never abandon his creation, whose apex is humanity.
“Through his birth as the son of man and saviour of the world, the word was made flesh, God became man and dwelt among us.” he said.
He appealed to Christians and Nigerians to use this period for fervent prayers for a turnaround in all challenges the nation is facing.
Adding his, voice, the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, asked Nigerians to believe that the country would return to the path of peace of prosperity again.
The Reverend charged the citizens to be steadfast in their belief in God and hope that He will not fail to deliver our country from the shackles of bad leadership and the attendant poverty, injustice, inequity, and feelings of marginalisation.
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