Leaders Preaches Peaceful Co-existence At Christmas

Leaders Preaches Peaceful Co-existence At Christmas

Nigerian leaders and groups have stressed the need for peace and peaceful co-existence as the nation celebrates Christmas.

Leading the pack in Christmas messages, President Jonathan called on Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the ennobling ideals and virtues of faith in God, which Jesus Christ preached and which his life on earth exemplified.    

He said if more Nigerians imbibed these ideals and virtues, and made them more evident in their daily lives, Nigeria would undoubtedly make faster progress and become a truly great nation.

The President also urged Nigerians to seize the opportunity of the Christmas holidays to reflect, and commit themselves to
contributing much more positively, in any way that they could, towards making Nigeria a better country for its people.

To the Speaker of Nigeria's House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, Nigerians must use the occasion of the Christmas celebration to pray for peaceful elections in Nigeria in 2011.

He said Christmas symbolised the birth of a new dawn, especially for the Christian faithful.

The speaker said such an important day should not be used for just merry-making, but an opportunity for fervent prayers for peaceful and a prosperous nation.

Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala of Oyo State admonished Christians and Nigerians to reflect on the life and teachings of Christ in their dealings with fellow human beings. 

He urged politicians to be guarded in their utterances, warning them to desist from the politics of bitterness and rancour as well as provocative statements capable of causing violence and disaffection.

In Benin, the Edo state Governor Adams Oshiomole Nigerians should spare time during the Christmas celebrations to pray for the nation.

On his part, Governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun state the Christmas celebration is meant to extend love and joy of the Christmas season to the less privileged.

He also appealed to Nigerians to demonstrate the virtues of joy, peace, hope and selflessness as exemplified by the birth of Christ.

According to Governor Peter Obi of Anambra state in south eastern Nigeria, Christians have the unique opportunity to live the ideals of charity, love, peace and harmonious co-existence, which Christ Jesus preached.

The Nigerian Government has declared Monday and Tuesday December twenty-seven and twenty-eight as public holidays.

PR/ NAN/ Aneke/Qasim