Christmas: Buhari, Atiku, Gbajiabimila, govs other prominent Nigerians ask citizens to love one another
.I won’t abandon promises made for better lease of life -President
.IGP orders 24-hr patrols, pledges improved service delivery in 2022
Police, NSCDC deploy 4,500 personnel in Sokoto, Katsina
.Urge citizens to be law abiding
.Patronise parks, NURTW advises passengers
As Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ today ,President Muhammadu Buhari ,former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, some state Governors and other prominent Nigerians have urged the people to be peaceful, law abiding and let unity prevail among citizenry.
In their separate Christmas messages Buhari and others urged Nigerians to use the period to reflect on the life of Jesus and the message of love he broght to the world
They called on Nigerian to emulate the life and virtues of Jesus Christ.
According to Buhari, ‘I rejoice with Christians in Nigeria as they join fellow believers all over the world to celebrate this season.
‘’It is a special period that brings peoples of the world together with one purpose; to celebrate togetherness, joy, peace, and above all, to share love with one another through exchange of goodwill and gifts.’’ He stated
He said for the second Christmas running, the world will not be able to celebrate as we used to in years past.
The COVID-19 pandemic, with its attendant debilitating impact, has remained with mankind, mutating and leaving in its wake devastating consequences on the economy, social interaction, and curtailing certain freedoms.
The silver lining, however, is that humanity has been able to rise up with one voice and purpose, to confront the foisted conditions.
I want to use this opportunity to appeal to our dear citizens to embrace vaccination, which is the best scientifically known bulwark against the pandemic.
Recent events have shown that vaccination greatly reduces the effects of the virus on the human body.
I will also urge those that have taken the two doses to go ahead and take the booster as advised by the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC).
I commend the efforts of members of the PSC under the headship of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation as they continue to chart a roadmap out of the pandemic and associated issues.
On security, despite the remarkable successes generally recorded, we still have some challenges.
Our courageous security forces, bolstered by the necessary support from this administration, daily confront the wicked ones amongst us, who continue to threaten the peace of the land.
Recently, during the meeting with fellow Heads of State of the ECOWAS, I discussed the need to intensify efforts to jointly confront this menace causing instability in our sub-region.
I am confident that with the renewed commitment and empowerment of our committed security personnel, all these issues which inflict pain and trauma on us will soon be history.
Let us utilize the opportunity that this festive period brings to encourage ourselves so that the machinations of the wicked ones in our midst will find no place to thrive.
Christmas is a season when hope is rekindled. Hope, Peace, Joy, Love are the recurring themes of this time.
It is in the midst of hardship that the true test of a nation emerges.
I urge Nigerians to invoke the indomitable spirit in us and see the present order of things as a phase that will also pass, just like other unsavory situations in the nation’s history.
This government will not abandon the promises made to Nigerians for a better lease of life.
The diversification of the economy embarked upon is yielding fruits.
We shall continue to create opportunities for our teeming youths to ventilate their tremendous energy.
As we felicitate with family, friends, colleagues, associates, let us spare moments to reach out to the less privileged.
Let us also pray and give words of encouragement to our gallant security personnel fulfilling their oaths to keep us safe.
I assure my compatriots that this administration remains resolute at ensuring that the standard of living of the average Nigerian is elevated.
Also, as the world celebrates Christmas Day today (December 25) which showcases the birth of Jesus Christ, Nigerians have been urged to embrace peace and unity at this period, and to love one another for the sake of progress and growth in the country.
This call was made by the former Vice President of Nigeria and Waziri Adamawa, Atiku Abubakar, in a Christmas message released by his Media Office in Abuja.
It reads: “I felicitate with all Nigerians, particularly the Christian faithful on the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ.
“Christmas is a time of love, therefore, I call on all Nigerians to emulate the essence of this season and unite for the greater good of our dear country.
“Christmas is the season of love, joy, generosity and forgiveness and while we celebrate with family and friends, we should also spend time to pray for a more peaceful and prosperous nation as it is important for Nigerians to inject the healing and unifying serum of love for our neighbours into the nation’s consciousness, this Yuletide.
“As a nation, we can achieve more if we stay united, extend hands of fellowship to one another and be law abiding. We must also rededicate ourselves to the virtues of faith in God, love for one another and make these virtues more evident and practical in our daily living.
“As we also look ahead to a better 2022, let us not relent in praying to God to restore peace and all-round development and progress in our country Nigeria,” added the Wazirin Adamawa.
Atiku reminded Nigerians that the revival of the country’s glory is everyone’s responsibility and urged citizens to be intentional in thinking good thoughts and sowing better seeds of harmony and unity in diversity; actions that would make Nigeria greater today and in the future.
“We cannot move forward as a country until we all realise that we are first Nigerians, before our religious beliefs, ethnic identities, political leanings and cultural affiliations and as such, we must show respect for one another by living in peace.
“As we celebrate, we should continue to extend hands of love and fellowship to our neighbours and live as one big family, irrespective of our social, political and religious leanings and continue to trust God for a better tomorrow and a greater country,” he said
In his own message ,the Speaker of the House of Representatives,Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, rejoiced with Nigerians, especially Christians, on the occasion of this year’s Christmas.
The Speaker said the Christmas period calls for sober reflection even as he enjoined Christians to pray for the country amidst challenges.
Speaker Gbajabiamila said the character of Jesus Christ, who is the main reason for the celebrations, should reflect in the life of every Christian.
He noted that the period also calls for unity of purpose among Nigerians, urging the citizens to be their brother’s keeper at all times.
Gbajabiamila noted that Nigeria is passing through a lot at the moment but that with the prayers of the citizens and their support, the leaders would be able to provide good direction.
He equally called on Nigerians to eschew any act that could lead to the breakdown of law and order during and after the celebrations.
The Speaker wished the Christian community and all Nigerians a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
However, The Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered Commissioners of Police (CPs) in the thirty-six (36) States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja as well as their supervisory Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs), to initiate and implement well-coordinated crime prevention strategies and ensure round-the-clock visibility patrols towards peaceful Christmas and New Year celebrations in the country.
The IGP, who noted that achieving a crime and crisis free Yuletide is of utmost priority to the Force and the nation at large, being the build-up into a new year, assured citizens of adequate security throughout the period of the celebration and beyond. He further noted that the AIGs and CPs have been directed to massively deploy human, intelligence and other operational assets of the Force at their disposal to all public places including residential areas, places of worship, recreational centres, financial institutions, market places, motor-parks, major highways, airports, railway stations, amongst others, to protect the citizens and critical national infrastructure (CNI).
In addition, the IGP has warned Police personnel deployed for duties during the yuletide season, particularly those deployed to secure the highways across the country, to desist from acts inimical to discipline and professionalism. The IGP equally enjoined citizens to cooperate with officers deployed for the assignments especially by being law abiding, noting that the Force remains sensitive to issues of rights violations, illegitimate use of force and has since deployed the Monitoring Unit, the X-Squad, and the Force Provost Unit on joint operation nationwide with a view to monitoring conducts of officers as citizens transit in and around the country during the festive season and holidays.
While congratulating Christians in the country on the occasion of the 2021 celebration of the birth of Christ, the IGP thanked all Nigerians for supporting the Police and the security community in the fight against crimes and criminality. He enjoined citizens to go about the celebration in the spirit of love, sacrifice and to take protective measures to reduce exposure to security risks and the new wave of the COVID-19 variant. He further emphasized that citizens should keep Police emergency phone lines handy or contact the nearest Police station in the event of any untoward situation that may pose threats to public peace, safety and security.
The IGP according to statement by the Force Spokesman CP Frank Mba on behalf of the Force Management Team and entire officers of the Force, wishes Nigerians a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. He assured citizens of improved service delivery in the coming year, 2022.
Also, the Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives urges Nigerians to use the occasion this year’s Christmas to strengthen the bond of love for one another, renew their hope and intensify their prayers for brighter future for our nation.
The caucus, in the same vein, charges leaders at all levels to use the period to bring joy and hope to the people by committing themselves to life of selfless service as demonstrated in the gift of the Lord Jesus Christ to bring salvation to mankind.
Indeed, Christmas points to the refreshing truth of God love to mankind and the fact that, in His mercies, He has not given up on our nation in spite of agonizing hardship and insecurity we face under the current incompetent, insensitive and suppressive administration.
Our caucus is deeply saddened that in the last six years, Nigerians are not able to afford the basic necessities of life and have been marking major festivities in tears, despair and utter hopelessness due to the oppression, corruption and cluelessness of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
The Minority caucus therefore urges Nigerians to use the Yuletide period to encourage and stand up for one another; share and show love, especially to the less privileged, the displaced and victims of the senseless acts of terrorism that have escalated under the APC.
The caucus also calls on those behind the mindless killings, kidnapping banditry and other acts of terrorism in our country to have a rethink as their actions cannot be justified under any guise whatsoever.
Nevertheless, as representatives of the people, the minority caucus remains undeterred in standing for the rights and wellbeing of all Nigerians at this critical time. Our caucus will never relent in our pursuit of good governance including legislations that will guarantee credible elections in furtherance of our collective quest to rescue our nation from misrule.
While urging Nigerians not to lose sight of set Covid-19 protocols during the festive period, the Minority Caucus felicitates with the people and wishes the nation a happy Christmas celebration.
For Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, he urged Christians not to seek the infant Jesus in the beautiful figures of the Christmas cribs, the twinkly lights and the gaudy decorations in our homes and streets but in the poor and deprived Nigerians who go to bed hungry.
In a goodwill message to Christians by his Media Office in Abuja , Ngige described the remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ, which Christians celebrate at Christmas as the most powerful message of hope in today’s Nigeria, geared in battle against socio-economic and security challenges .
He added that God works in a peculiar way that is beyond human comprehension as exemplified in the birth of Christ, the savior of mankind.
“He was born a king but not the type that mounts the throne to dish out orders or the chariot to wage wars, but a humble Messiah who must suffer death for the redemption of mankind.
“The message is that we must model our lives after him. Even when the enraged Herod sought to kill him , God could have easily intervened by eliminating Herod but His angel, only advised Joseph and Mary to escape with the infant Jesus to Egypt , an excruciating journey of many days !
“ Christians must therefore not despair or resign to fate but be ever ready to work their way out of every tribulations, looking up to God for his seamless lead.”
Quoting Pope Francis in La Croix International, Ngige said, “ God may not take away insecurity and unpredictability that breed fear and anxiety , but shares our experience of them . He offers a promise that all will be well.”
In his own the Vice-Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in 2019 elections, Mr Peter Obi, has called on Christians to show more brotherly love and imbibe the spirit of giving their best for the good of others and for the development of society.
Obi made this call through his 2021 Christmas Message to Nigerians. He explained that the celebration of the birth of Christ should be a constant reminder of how God gave His only begotten son for the salvation of humanity. “We, as humans, should, therefore, endeavour to make sacrifice, even when it is painful, for the good of others and for our society,” Obi said.
He urged Nigerians to go beyond the festivities and glamour associated with the Christmas season and strive to live out the true essesnce of the celebration. He stated that fraternal love and giving to the poor are the hallmark of Christmas celebration, and enjoined all to lend helping hands to one another.
Obi argued that “many societal ills plaguing Nigeria today, particularly rising insecurity, poverty, unemployment and drug abuse are mainly because we the leaders lack love and the spirit of sacrifice for the people.”
“We need capable, visionary, caring leaders who are passionate about the wellbeing of the poor. Christmas celebration presents us an opportunity for sober reflection on our lives as individuals and as a nation,” Obi said
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State also, urged Christians to use the period of Christmas to do some spiritual reflection on the reason for the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ rather than the notion that it is a time for merry making only.
He also said those who reduce the Christmas period to just a mere time of merriment based on the mundane things of the world may not know how much they have relegated the essence which includes sharing of love to our neighbours.
Governor Uzodimma spoke on Thursday at the 2021 Christmas Carol held at the Government House Chapel Owerri.
In a statement by Governor Uzodimma’s Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser, Oguwike Nwachuku on the ocassion of Christmas, the Governor urged Imo people and residents to use the season to spread love to their neighbours.
The Governor also noted that “there no better time to praise God than now that we are expecting the birth of our Redeemer, our Lord, Jesus Christ.”
The Governor said: “At this time of celebration, many of us tend to miss the reason for the Christmas season. Although this is primarily a happy season heralding the birth of Jesus Christ, some of us devote more of our energy more on mundane matters associated with the season, such as drinking in excess and making merry without end. Those who concentrate on these miss the point because they push the spiritual import to the backbench which is more important.
“Oftentimes, some people engage in more untoward activities, including crimes like fraud, kidnapping and killing innocent people all in the name of celebrating Christmas. The proceeds from these endeavours are temporary and would pass away. We need to refocus our attention on the spiritual benefit of Christmas that if Jesus Christ was not born, our salvation and eternal life would not have materialized.
“Therefore, as we celebrate Christmas this year, I want us to undertake some sober reflection on the full meaning of God’s gift of Christ to humanity. So we should always remember the fact that Christ loved us so much that he gave his own life so that we can be saved.
“Let us use this season of Christmas to spread love to our neighbours. We should resonate the love and sacrifice of Christ by remembering the less privileged in our midst and touch their lives positively. Let us also use the auspicious occasion of this season to atone for our sins and resolve to be better Christians from now. For the good people of Imo State, I urge you to use this opportunity of the coming of our Saviour to rededicate yourselves to the love of Imo people and our state.
“Let this also be the opportunity for those who have been contriving all manner of evil against the people of Imo State, to repent and turn a new leaf for the sake of Christ who is an embodiment of love. Let us love one another as Christ loved us. Let us resolve to save lives and not to take it so that we can key into the universal salvation for which Christ was born. Please, let us love one another as Christ loved us.”
Governor Uzodimma also spoke about his willingness to, not only share love among the people and residents of the state, but to commit himself to protecting their lives nd property in line with the oath of office he took.
His words: “On the part of the government, we are very mindful of expectations at this season of love and sacrifice. Consequently, in spite of the very harsh economic times, we have bent over backwards to put smiles on the faces of Imo workers by paying them 13th month salary in addition to providing them with bags of rice for the season. This is the first time this has happened in Imo State. We also extended a hand of love to Bus Imo operators by giving them free supply of fuel for their operations. Our hope is that the cumulative impact of these measures will translate to a rosier, merrier and more memorable Christmas for a majority of our people, to the glory of Christ.
The Governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-rufai, felicitating with Christians on Christmas, on Friday preached love and tolerance among Nigerians.
This is contained in massage, signed by the Governor and made available to newsmen Kaduna.
According to him, “I wish to felicitate with the Christian faithful on the special occasion of Christmas.
He said the festival celebrates the birth of the Prince of Peace, and the timeless values of compassion, love, tolerance and forgiveness that the birth and example of Jesus Christ so profoundly teaches.
“Christ was not limited by the circumstances of his birth. He set for us an example of the power of faith, providing an assurance that we can be better than our current circumstances.
“While we celebrate Christmas in difficult times. Despite the currents that buffet us, we should keep hope alive as we honour the Prince of Peace.
“Let us commit to peace and goodwill towards all. We can all, as Christians as well as Muslims, emulate the example of Jesus Christ. We can strive to be better than we are today, combining our faith with exemplary conduct.
“We pray to God Almighty that the blessings and lessons of Christmas will spread all through our State and move us to be better people.
“The festive aspects of our celebration of Christmas may be limited by the continuing threat of COVID-19. But as people of faith, we know that God’s love is unlimited; that amidst the trials and tribulations that confront us, the Almighty still avails us many reasons for joy in His Grace and gratitude for His protections.
According to him, “every citizen has a duty of personal responsibility as part of the collective action that is essential to curbing the spread of COVID-19.”
In another development, the Nigeria Police, Sokoto command, has deployed over 3,000 men and officers in the state to ensure hitch-free Christmas and New Year celebrations across the state.
The State Police Commissioner, Mr Kamaldeen Okunlola, gave the figures while addressing newsmen in his office in Sokoto on Friday.
Okunlola cautioned citizens to always remain law abiding and ensure prompt information of any suspicious activities in their areas to enable proper action by the security personnel.
“I want to use the medium to inform the good people of Sokoto State that this deployment will not affect the ongoing joint military operations in the troubled eastern zone of the state.
“The Inspector General of Police has deployed more additional personnel to Sokoto under the Operation Puff Adar to fight banditry and ensure the peace of the Caliphate,” he said.
He called on Christians to stay out of trouble and feel free to celebrate the Christmas as a detachment of security personnel has been posted to churches and all other places of worship in the state.
Also, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Katsina State Command, has deployed 1,500 personnel to ensure a hitch-free Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Command Spokesman DSC Muhammad Abdara disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Katsina.
According to him, the personnel will be deployed to places of worship, motor parks, recreational centres, major roads and also some flashpoints.
Abdara said that the command would deploy operatives to some mosques because the festive season falls around Friday.
“While discharging our major responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the people, we also ensure the protection of national assets and infrastructure,’’ he said.
He appealed to the public to give the command all the necessary support in discharging its duties during the festive season and beyond.
He also called on the public to support security agencies with credible information that could assist in protecting the lives and property of the citizenry.
Abdara, however, warned that any criminal arrested would be treated according to the law, saying the command would not relent in its effort to protect the people.
However, The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), FCT chapter has urged passengers to ensure they patronise the parks for safety.
Mr Laurence Fadipe, the Organising Secretary, NURTW, FCT said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
According to Fadipe, the parks are safer because they have a union and if there is any issue on the road it will be easy to trace the driver of the vehicle.
”I will advise passengers, who are travelling at this season to ensure they patronise the parks.
”The day before yesterday, the national union patrol team went all the way to Gwagwalada and we discovered that majority of passengers where on the road.
”And we were surprised because the money they are paying by the roadside is even higher than that which they would have paid in the parks.
”Yet they prefer standing there under the sun, in addition with the security challenges rather than the comfort of the parks and it is worrisome.
”Also what some people don’t know is that even if they don’t have the complete fare, they can talk to the leader of the park and something will be done to help them.” Fadipe said.
He said the union had mandated all its members to ensure to load their vehicles from the parks for security reasons.
Fadipe said that drivers had also been mandated to search passengers’ luggage before embarking on any trip.
”As a national union, we have a security network which we are implementing.
“People from Abuja to lokoja, have a network of security, then from Lokoja to Akure and from Akure to Ibadan they have their own.
”This goes for every other states of the federation, and so far, this have been working smoothly for us.”
On passenger turnout, Fadipe said the influx reduced and was not as that experienced in 2020.
”You cannot compare this year with last year; you can see the park by yourself and that is the true picture of what we have this year.
”Not more than 10 vehicles have gone out of the park today, being the 24th of December, both the cars and buses and this is very surprising.
”Although, we are still hopeful that the turnout will improve,” he said.
Mr Taiwo Yahaya, the Secretary, NURTW Ibadan unit also decried low turnout of passengers and deplorable roads.
He called on the Federal Government to help the citizens by fixing the roads so as to ensure safety.
A driver, Suleiman Muhammed, also urged the government to work towards alleviating the plight of citizens as many people were suffering and could barely feed, let alone embark on trips.
According to him, if people don’t travel, it will be difficult for the drivers to have money and support their families.
He, however, commended the government for fixing the train to Kaduna as many passengers now travel via that route.
Another driver popularly known as Baba Eba, reiterated that the bad roads on the Nigerian highways had become a major challenge to drivers.
According to him, journey that should ordinarily take two hours, end up becoming four to five hours due to the poor state of the roads.
He also commended the government for ensuring that there were security personnel on the highways to ensure safety of passengers and drivers.
Also, Mr Musa Adamu, said it was due to the hard times which everyone was aware of that the drivers did not increase the cost of fares.
Mr Segun Oyeleye said: ”Passengers turnout have been poor this year probably because of how the economy of the country is.
”Even the people who are here and carrying load can barely pay for the extra luggage. And by right if things where the way it should be, people will not be travelling with food from here to their villages.
“‘The roads are very bad. The route from Abuja to Lagos and about three major roads which we take to Lagos have been abandoned due to their poor state and the only saving grace we have now is that of Ekiti.
”And this would have also gone bad if the state government had not taken measures to ban heavy duty cars from using the roads.
”So we really need government intervention. They should help us fix the roads so people can travel freely and safely. “
NAN observed that there were no stranded passengers many parks waiting for vehicles at the time of filing this report, unlike what used to be obtainable at such peak periods of the festivity
