President Goodluck Jonathan has asked Nigerians to pray to God to exterminate demons of hatred, divisiveness and disunity in the country. This is even as former Nigeria Vice President Atiku Abubakar called on Nigerians to celebrate Christmas with renewed hope for a better Nigeria.
In a separate messages to Nigerians marking Christmas tomorrow, December 25, President Jonathan and Atiku made it clear that with constant prayers and right attitude, Nigeria would overcome the present challenges.
Jonathan noted that greater internalization of the virtues of love for fellow men, tolerance, Godliness, honesty, fairness to others, selflessness, and peaceful co-existence with others, by all adult Nigerians, and the inculcation of the same in the youth, will definitely help the country to overcome most of its present challenges.
“Peace and love for others, especially, were a constant refrain in the Messiah’s teachings and admonitions to mankind.
“Therefore, as we celebrate his birth, I urge all Nigerians to offer special prayers for a greater manifestation of divine peace in our country and the vanquishing of all demons of hatred, divisiveness and disunity in our midst.
“As we celebrate Christmas, let us also remember and offer special prayers for all of our countrymen, women and children who have suffered and continue to suffer untold hardship, deprivation and death at the hands of terrorists and insurgents.
“Let us also continue to pray for our gallant soldiers and security agents who remain at the forefront of the national effort to overcome terrorism and violent extremism, even as the rest of the nation celebrates Christmas and the coming New Year.”
President Jonathan urged all patriotic Nigerians to rededicate themselves to doing all within their powers to support the brave men and women of the armed forces in the ongoing war against terrorism, and to also support the Federal Government’s efforts to provide more succour to the hapless victims of terrorist atrocities.
The President called on individuals and corporate organisations who have not yet done so, to donate more generously to the Victims’ Support Fund which was established to raise additional funds to assist those who have been adversely affected by continuing insecurity in parts of country remains active.
He reminded Nigerians that Christmass is being celebrated against the background of preparations for next year’s general elections, assuring that his administration will give the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) all necessary support to ensure that it delivers very free, fair, credible and acceptable elections in 2015.
“National security agencies will also be given all necessary support to enhance their ability to ensure that the elections which should strengthen democracy in our country are peaceful and violence free.
“I urge our political class to be law- abiding and place the greater interests of our nation above all personal or sectional interests in the countdown to the elections.
“Let us all be more statesman-like, conduct issues-based campaigns, and eschew the promotion of falsehood, division and hatred of others as we seek the votes of our countrymen in what should be a peaceful competition among contending points of view for the progress and development of our dear nation.
“I remain convinced that God Almighty is still with us as a nation even in the midst of our current challenges which we shall surely overcome with greater unity of purpose, dedication, commitment and perseverance.
“Let this year’s celebration of the birth of Christ the Messiah rekindle, strengthen and reaffirm our faith in our national ability to overcome all challenges, with God on our side.”
In his own message, former Vice President Atiku said that irrespective of the difficult challenges facing the country, Christians and indeed all Nigerians should celebrate the yuletide with hope and prayers that God will heal the land with His infinite peace.
“Our country is in trouble of maladministration marked by insecurity, but we should still celebrate Christmas with hope because it is a season of joy; and with prayers and deep reflections, God will heal our land and we shall prosper again,”
He urged Nigerians irrespective of their belief systems to promote peace and harmonious coexistence for the unity and stability and progress and development of our nation.
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