PRESIDENT
Goodluck Jonathan, on Tuesday, said he would consolidate on the achievements of
his administration in the New Year.
The president, in a message made available to newsmen in Abuja, also stressed the need for Nigerians to manifest the ideals of Christmas, including peace, harmony, tolerance, love and goodwill, in their interaction with one another.
The president, in a message made available to newsmen in Abuja, also stressed the need for Nigerians to manifest the ideals of Christmas, including peace, harmony, tolerance, love and goodwill, in their interaction with one another.
The Senate president recalled the chequered political
history of the nation, coupled with the ethno-religious conflicts that had
claimed scores of lives and property and pleaded with Nigerians to have a
rethink.
He specifically called on the political class to lead the path of peace, law and order, cautioning that national interest and cohesion should not be sacrificed on the alter of individual or group ambitions.
Senator Mark noted that politics should ordinarily be a game and not a battle field and reminded those fanning the embers of war or disunity not to set the “house” ablaze before they even got there.
“We have come a long way as a people. We should see ourselves as one people, one nation with a common destiny. We cannot be moving in the reverse order when other nations are going to the moon.
“We have always admitted that the challenges are enormous, but we must realise that nobody is coming from the space to solve our problems for us,” he said.
He admonished religious leaders to fervently pray for the nation and its leaders, adding that the time called for wise counsel and divine intervention.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Aminu Tambuwal, enjoined Nigerians to continue to reflect on the positive tenets that united the nation and strengthened the polity.
In a Christmas message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, on Tuesday, Tambuwal also called for sustained prayers for the country’s peace, unity and stability to enable Africa’s most populous nation to realise its potentials.
He admonished persons of all faiths to be their brothers’ keepers and shun all vices and negative acts that could jeopardise the efforts of government in providing dividends of democracy to the citizens.
“This period calls for sober reflection and continued prayers for our dear nation.
“We must replicate on the teachings and lessons of Christmas and continue to exhibit good character, as well as extend hands of fellowship and build blocks of unity and understanding to all, irrespective of our perceived differences.
“On our part, we are committed to providing legislative measures and interventions that will support government’s effort at guaranteeing peace, welfare and security of Nigerians,” he said.
Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr David Iyofor, called on Christians to use the Christmas season to rededicate their lives to God and also pray for the country.
Amaechi also enjoined Christians to exhibit the virtues of Jesus Christ, adding that “we must, as a people under one God, seek God’s interference in our country’s democracy.
“We must see it as our duty to pray to God for the good of our dear country, Nigeria; we must pray for our leaders and always pray to God to give us good leaders that can lead our dear country to greatness.”
The Rivers governor further advised Christians to reciprocate God’s love to their fellow Nigerians, despite ethnic or religious affiliation.
Ekiti State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, described the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ as the climax of God’s love for mankind.
The governor, in his Christmas message to the people of the state, said God used the birth of Christ to ensure the salvation of man from sin and rescue man from eternal perdition.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olayinka Oyebode, the governor urged the people of the state to emulate God’s love by showing love to fellow citizens, regardless of their religious belief.
He advised Ekiti people, especially Christians, to spend the Christmas season in sober reflection and self examination of their relationship with their Creator.
While urging Christians to learn the lesson of humility, as demonstrated in the birth of Jesus, Governor Fayemi noted that the birth of the King of kings and Lord of lords in a manger demonstrated uncommon humility.
The governor admonished them to use the season to share love and lend a helping hand to others, most especially the underprivileged.
Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, in his Christmas message, enjoined Christians to use the occasion of Christmas to renew love and affection to one another.
Amosun said this was the essence of the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, whose life epitomised peace, sacrifice, tolerance and mercy.
The governor, in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Funmi Wakama, said “it is hoped that the gift of love and great joy, which are the hallmark of Christmas, will envelope our hearts this season and in years to come.
“Jesus Christ was a gift to show God’s exceeding love for mankind and we must reciprocate this gesture by imbibing the virtues and ideals of forgiveness, justice, fairness, understanding and meekness, all of which he exemplified.
“With this, we will end 2013 with a renewed mind that will ultimately usher us into a new dawn of unending tranquillity and true brotherhood, which Jesus Christ taught and lived for.”
Bayelsa State governor, Honourable Seriake Dickson, urged Christians across the country to reflect and rededicate themselves to the lifestyle of Christ, which was anchored on sacrifice, love, peace and truth.
In a Christmas message, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the governor also called on Christians to worship God in love and in truth, noting that Christmas afforded every Christian an opportunity to demonstrate the true virtues of Christ.
According to him, Christians should always strive to be role models as Christ, who lived and died propagating the message of love, peace and truthful co-existence among mankind.
Governor Dickson, who thanked Christians for their dedication and prayers for the country, urged them not to relent, but to pray fervently for its peace and unity.
He attributed the success of his restoration administration in the state to the unending prayers of church leaders across the state and God’s continued presence in the affairs of the state and expressed satisfaction with the various roles the church had played to support the activities of government.
Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State said Christmas signifies peace and, as such, Nigerians and people of Delta State in particular should resolve to live in peace.
In a goodwill message to mark Christmas and New Year celebrations, the governor enjoined all to embrace the virtues of peace and love that the Christmas epitomised.
“Christmas, signifies hope and salvation brought to the world in need of redemption. The world would be a better place if the values and virtues reflected by the holy birth of Christ, especially love for one another, were practiced faithfully,” he stated.
While speaking at an interdenominational festival of nine lessons and carols, organised in Warri by a federal lawmaker, Honourable Daniel Reyenieju, Uduaghan urged the people to embrace peace as a way of life, adding that “when people live in peace, a lot of developmental programmes take place.”
Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State urged Christians to use the period of the celebration of Christmas and the New Year to preach national rebirth and transformation.
The governor, who also advised that the occasion should be used to pray for peace and unity of the country, added that the period should be seen as a season of showing love, especially to the needy.
In his Christmas and new year message, issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, Governor Ahmed said Nigerians must always project the virtues of humility, self denial and brotherliness, which are the hallmarks of the teachings of Christianity and other religion.
“Nigeria, at this period and always, needs God’s favour, which we can get through fervent prayers, show of compassion for others and unity against hatred and avarice. These are the lessons we should imbibe this festive season and make enduring,” he said.
Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, enjoined Christians in the state to remain committed to the ideals of Christmas, adding that such was the only way to accord proper meaning to the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
He also enjoined them to see the celebration of Christmas as an oppurtunity to share and exhibit love for one another, even as he implored the people to sacrifice more, “so that our nation can become the place of comfort we desire.”
In his goodwill message to the people of the state, Dr Mimiko said love and sacrifice were vital ingredients in the establishment of a good nation, adding that it was out of love for humanity and sacrifice that God gave His only son as ransom for the sins of the world.
Mimiko advised that the earlier Christians began to recommit themselves to the ideals of Christmas, the better.
Lagos State governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, called for restoration of values and peaceful co-existence, just as he assured Lagosians of safety at Christmas.
A statement by his media aide, Hakeem Bello, quoted him as asking Christian faithful to imbibe the lessons of the season.
In his Christmas goodwill message, Governor Fashola said the promise of the country’s greatness could not be realised without sacrifice on the part of all concerned.
He assured that the state was safe, adding that the citizenry should continue to live together in peaceful and harmonious co-existence.
The governor also called on Nigerians to unite, both in mind and action, to rescue the nation from its current situation, saying that there was the need to make the necessary sacrifice and believe again in Nigeria.
He specifically called on the political class to lead the path of peace, law and order, cautioning that national interest and cohesion should not be sacrificed on the alter of individual or group ambitions.
Senator Mark noted that politics should ordinarily be a game and not a battle field and reminded those fanning the embers of war or disunity not to set the “house” ablaze before they even got there.
“We have come a long way as a people. We should see ourselves as one people, one nation with a common destiny. We cannot be moving in the reverse order when other nations are going to the moon.
“We have always admitted that the challenges are enormous, but we must realise that nobody is coming from the space to solve our problems for us,” he said.
He admonished religious leaders to fervently pray for the nation and its leaders, adding that the time called for wise counsel and divine intervention.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Aminu Tambuwal, enjoined Nigerians to continue to reflect on the positive tenets that united the nation and strengthened the polity.
In a Christmas message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, on Tuesday, Tambuwal also called for sustained prayers for the country’s peace, unity and stability to enable Africa’s most populous nation to realise its potentials.
He admonished persons of all faiths to be their brothers’ keepers and shun all vices and negative acts that could jeopardise the efforts of government in providing dividends of democracy to the citizens.
“This period calls for sober reflection and continued prayers for our dear nation.
“We must replicate on the teachings and lessons of Christmas and continue to exhibit good character, as well as extend hands of fellowship and build blocks of unity and understanding to all, irrespective of our perceived differences.
“On our part, we are committed to providing legislative measures and interventions that will support government’s effort at guaranteeing peace, welfare and security of Nigerians,” he said.
Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr David Iyofor, called on Christians to use the Christmas season to rededicate their lives to God and also pray for the country.
Amaechi also enjoined Christians to exhibit the virtues of Jesus Christ, adding that “we must, as a people under one God, seek God’s interference in our country’s democracy.
“We must see it as our duty to pray to God for the good of our dear country, Nigeria; we must pray for our leaders and always pray to God to give us good leaders that can lead our dear country to greatness.”
The Rivers governor further advised Christians to reciprocate God’s love to their fellow Nigerians, despite ethnic or religious affiliation.
Ekiti State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, described the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ as the climax of God’s love for mankind.
The governor, in his Christmas message to the people of the state, said God used the birth of Christ to ensure the salvation of man from sin and rescue man from eternal perdition.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olayinka Oyebode, the governor urged the people of the state to emulate God’s love by showing love to fellow citizens, regardless of their religious belief.
He advised Ekiti people, especially Christians, to spend the Christmas season in sober reflection and self examination of their relationship with their Creator.
While urging Christians to learn the lesson of humility, as demonstrated in the birth of Jesus, Governor Fayemi noted that the birth of the King of kings and Lord of lords in a manger demonstrated uncommon humility.
The governor admonished them to use the season to share love and lend a helping hand to others, most especially the underprivileged.
Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, in his Christmas message, enjoined Christians to use the occasion of Christmas to renew love and affection to one another.
Amosun said this was the essence of the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, whose life epitomised peace, sacrifice, tolerance and mercy.
The governor, in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Funmi Wakama, said “it is hoped that the gift of love and great joy, which are the hallmark of Christmas, will envelope our hearts this season and in years to come.
“Jesus Christ was a gift to show God’s exceeding love for mankind and we must reciprocate this gesture by imbibing the virtues and ideals of forgiveness, justice, fairness, understanding and meekness, all of which he exemplified.
“With this, we will end 2013 with a renewed mind that will ultimately usher us into a new dawn of unending tranquillity and true brotherhood, which Jesus Christ taught and lived for.”
Bayelsa State governor, Honourable Seriake Dickson, urged Christians across the country to reflect and rededicate themselves to the lifestyle of Christ, which was anchored on sacrifice, love, peace and truth.
In a Christmas message, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the governor also called on Christians to worship God in love and in truth, noting that Christmas afforded every Christian an opportunity to demonstrate the true virtues of Christ.
According to him, Christians should always strive to be role models as Christ, who lived and died propagating the message of love, peace and truthful co-existence among mankind.
Governor Dickson, who thanked Christians for their dedication and prayers for the country, urged them not to relent, but to pray fervently for its peace and unity.
He attributed the success of his restoration administration in the state to the unending prayers of church leaders across the state and God’s continued presence in the affairs of the state and expressed satisfaction with the various roles the church had played to support the activities of government.
Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State said Christmas signifies peace and, as such, Nigerians and people of Delta State in particular should resolve to live in peace.
In a goodwill message to mark Christmas and New Year celebrations, the governor enjoined all to embrace the virtues of peace and love that the Christmas epitomised.
“Christmas, signifies hope and salvation brought to the world in need of redemption. The world would be a better place if the values and virtues reflected by the holy birth of Christ, especially love for one another, were practiced faithfully,” he stated.
While speaking at an interdenominational festival of nine lessons and carols, organised in Warri by a federal lawmaker, Honourable Daniel Reyenieju, Uduaghan urged the people to embrace peace as a way of life, adding that “when people live in peace, a lot of developmental programmes take place.”
Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State urged Christians to use the period of the celebration of Christmas and the New Year to preach national rebirth and transformation.
The governor, who also advised that the occasion should be used to pray for peace and unity of the country, added that the period should be seen as a season of showing love, especially to the needy.
In his Christmas and new year message, issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, Governor Ahmed said Nigerians must always project the virtues of humility, self denial and brotherliness, which are the hallmarks of the teachings of Christianity and other religion.
“Nigeria, at this period and always, needs God’s favour, which we can get through fervent prayers, show of compassion for others and unity against hatred and avarice. These are the lessons we should imbibe this festive season and make enduring,” he said.
Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, enjoined Christians in the state to remain committed to the ideals of Christmas, adding that such was the only way to accord proper meaning to the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
He also enjoined them to see the celebration of Christmas as an oppurtunity to share and exhibit love for one another, even as he implored the people to sacrifice more, “so that our nation can become the place of comfort we desire.”
In his goodwill message to the people of the state, Dr Mimiko said love and sacrifice were vital ingredients in the establishment of a good nation, adding that it was out of love for humanity and sacrifice that God gave His only son as ransom for the sins of the world.
Mimiko advised that the earlier Christians began to recommit themselves to the ideals of Christmas, the better.
Lagos State governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, called for restoration of values and peaceful co-existence, just as he assured Lagosians of safety at Christmas.
A statement by his media aide, Hakeem Bello, quoted him as asking Christian faithful to imbibe the lessons of the season.
In his Christmas goodwill message, Governor Fashola said the promise of the country’s greatness could not be realised without sacrifice on the part of all concerned.
He assured that the state was safe, adding that the citizenry should continue to live together in peaceful and harmonious co-existence.
The governor also called on Nigerians to unite, both in mind and action, to rescue the nation from its current situation, saying that there was the need to make the necessary sacrifice and believe again in Nigeria.
Tags
Politics