By Chidinma Dike
Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has charged Christians in the country to use the occasion of this year’s Christmas celebration to pray fervently for Nigeria’s national rebirth in the face of current economic recession and the myriads of other problems plaguing the nation.
He pointed out that since Christendom celebrates the liberation of mankind by the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas, it was correspondingly germane for Christians in Nigeria to use the season to embark on aggressive prayers during yuletide church services for divine intervention in the present affairs of the nation.
Governor Ugwuanyi also charged adherents of the Christian religion to pray for and support political and other leaders of the nation through exhibition of unalloyed patriotic dispositions in all their daily dealings in a manner that would engender needed discipline among all Nigerians.
In a release by his chief press secretary, Uwakwe Abugu, the governor stated that the best approach to finding solutions to these various problems confronting the country is to remain faithful and steadfast, two tenets for which Christians are known.
He urged Christian clerics across the country to dedicate their various church services during this season of Christmas to praying for the triumph of the country from economic recession to national growth and prosperity.
Shun negative indulgences, Obaseki urges Nigerians
From Tony Osauzo,
Benin
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has urged Christians and non-Christians alike to shun ostentatious, reckless and negative indulgences which Christ and Christianity abhor.
In his Christmas message, Obaseki felicitated with Nigerians on the joyous occasion of the celebration of Christmas and the New Year.
In a statement signed by his Interim Chief Press Secretary, John Mayaki, Obaseki congratulated the people for their steadfastness, faith and support at these challenging times.
“We hope that this season will afford us the opportunity for sober reflection, to bridge our differences, and prayers to lift up our families, friends and neighbours particularly the weak and vulnerable among us, while also reconnecting with the values that bind us together,” he said.
Reminding the citizens of the urgent imperative to collectively deploy their energies to tackle the economic recession in the country, the governor restated his commitment to initiating and executing programmes that will reduce poverty and hunger and create new job opportunities for our teeming and energetic youths.
Okowa, Igbuya, Kashamu, preach love, peaceful co-existence
From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has tasked Christians to offer special prayers for greater peace, love, unity, peaceful co-existence and progress in Nigeria.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu, the governor also called on everyone in the state to reflect on the virtues and teachings of Jesus Christ in their lives and activities to ensure a better society.
“I congratulate all Christians for witnessing yet another Christmas season. I advise all of you to use the festive period for sober reflections and total spiritual renewal and devotion towards living in peace and harmony with adherents of other religions.
“At Christmas, people should not only engage in merry making, or relax with family members, it is also a time to reach out to the less privileged in the society,” the governor added.
He pleaded with the Christian community “to be steadfast in promoting the virtues of Christ, which are love, peace and harmony in all their undertakings.”
On his part, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Monday Igbuya urged Nigerians to pursue their cause without bitterness and recrimination. He enjoined politicians, businessmen and professionals to follow Christ’s example and give hope to the less privileged poor.
He urged Nigerians at home and abroad to continue the practice of tolerance, generosity and compassion, and called for positive thinking among Deltans towards the future of the state.
Also, in his Christmas message, the Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Buruji Kashamu has urged Nigerians to show love to one another in spite of the challenges of the times.
Kashamu said Christians and all Nigerians should draw useful lessons from how Jesus Christ rose above and beyond the circumstances of his birth to become the saviour of mankind.
This, he noted, was necessary because, notwithstanding the diversity of the people, “we are one happy family, a strong, united people, propelled by an unbreakable bond of nationhood.”
Kashamu urged Nigerians irrespective of their religious background to open their hearts with love in relation to one another.
“It is my belief that it was accidental that this year’s Christmas falls on a Sunday. It is providential; so, let us make the best use of it. The times we are in call for prayers and the exercise of our faith in the Almighty God who rules in the affairs of men, including that of our nation,” Kashamu said.
Christmas, new beginning for better future, say Ndoma-Egba, Adeola
The Chairman, Governing Board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, urged Nigerians to have abiding hope of prosperity and good tiding in the Yuletide season and in the incoming New Year.
In a press statement released by his media office, the former Senate Leader noted that Christmas season is a time for reflection, togetherness, reconciliation, sharing and celebration, adding: “We will experience the true essence of the season by standing united on the path to achieving lasting peace and prosperity in the Niger Delta region and in other parts of our country; we must join hands to build a peaceful and more prosperous Nigeria.”
The senator representing Lagos West Senatorial district, Solomon Adeola, in his Yuletiode message charged Christian faithful to see the celebration of Christmas as a time of sharing, love and a new beginning for a better future adding that it is because God loves human kind so much that he gave His only son as a ransom for our sins and sole channel for salvation.
He said the true essence of Christmas is that the birth of Christ affirms “our faith in the process of renewal for humanity and the hope of eternal salvation.”
He therefore charged Christians in the country to see themselves as beneficiaries of God’s infinite love and learn how to share with others during the yuletide and beyond.
Aregbesola tasks Nigerians to pray for economic emancipation
From Clement Adeyi, Osogbo
Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has urged Nigerians to pray for the country’s emancipation from the current economic recession and continue to intercede for the sustainability of an indivisible Nigeria.
He also enjoined them to always strive for the good of the land, stressing that the much publicised change must begin with every Nigerian for a more prosperous country.
The governor who spoke through the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, urged Christians to look onto God for help and sustenance that is proportionate with the counsel to “pray always and not faint.”
He specifically reminded Nigerians of the need to intensify prayers for the quick recovery of the ailing economy and cut down their dependence on foreign goods, increase local production and enhance entrepreneurship.
He added that the Bible encourages Christians to pray for leaders and those in authority so “that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity.”The governor said that praying for the nation and depending on Nigeria’s grown food and other products would help the local currency to appreciate against dollars.
Aregbesola expressed regret that despite the huge potential in sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing, Nigeria has failed to maximise the opportunities.
Governor Aregbesola urged the people of Osun to use the period of the Christmas to pray for the state so that development, peace and security would continue to reign. He attributed the peace Osun is witnessing under his administration to the prayers of all religions in the state as well as government’s commitment to providing good governance.