PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has rejoiced with Nigerians, especially Christians in the country, on the occasion of today’s Christmas celebrations, promising that his administration would curtail waste and channel resources to productive endeavors. In a message made avaible to State House correspondents in Abuja on Saturday, Jonathan also seized the opportunity of the Christmas celebrations to thank the vast majority of Nigerians who he said continued to keep faith with his administration as it strove to fulfill its promise of national transformation.

As the country joined the rest of the world in celebrating Christmas which commemorates the fulfillment of God’s promise of the birth of a Messiah, the president assured all Nigerians that significant progress would be made in the implementation of his agenda for national transformation in the coming year.

He also gave the assurance that under his leadership, the Federal Government would continue to work diligently to give full effect to its plans to redirect national resources from wasteful and unproductive areas to identified priority sectors, including infrastructure, power supply, job creation, education, agriculture, health and social services.

He said he would continue to count on the support, cooperation and goodwill of all Nigerians as the administration strove to quicken the pace of development across the country.

Sambo urges security consciousness

By Leon Usigbe, Abuja

Vice President Namadi Sambo also rejoiced with the Christian community and the entire Nigerians on the occasion of the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

In a goodwill message issued by his office in Abuja on Saturday, Sambo urged all citizens to be steadfast, prayerful and to have the fear of God in their minds.

He advised Nigerians to be security conscious during the festive period as he noted that all hands were needed to move the country to it's desired destination.

The vice president admonished citizens to appreciate the significance of this period by imbibing the teachings and practices of Jesus Christ and, therefore, called on all to continue to live in peace and harmony and to emulate the virtues and exemplary life bequeathed to us by Jesus Christ for the good of all.

Let peace be our bond —Mark

By Ayodele Adesanmi,  Abuja

In the same vein, President of the Senate, David Mark, advised Nigerians to imbibe the culture of love, peace and good neighbourliness as the cardinal principles of our co-existence as a people.

Senator Mark, in his Christmas goodwill massage to Nigerians, said peace was more than ever before needed to save the country from the precipice occasioned by the unabating bombing, murder and violence in recent time.

He noted that Nigeria as a nation operated within the ambits of laws that provided for check and balances, cautioning that resort to violence or murder could not be the solution to any problem.

“Whatever the grievances or misgivings may be, the solution lies in our ability to explore channels of dispute resolution and not the other way round.

“We cannot, at this stage of our development, resort to the destruction of our foundation laid down by our founding fathers. Rather, we must do all we can to uphold the sanctity of our unity as a people with common vision and mission,” he said.

Mark, therefore, implored Nigerians to rise to the occasion and halt the security challenges facing the nation.

He specifically urged Christians to use the occasion of this Christmas to pray for the nation, urging them to live in mutual respect, forgiveness and reconciliation with their neighbours.

He gave the assurance that the Senate and, indeed, the National Assembly would continue to make legislations that were in tandem with the wishes and aspirations of the ordinary Nigerian.

Mark said the National Assembly would work assiduously for the quick passage of the 2012 Appropriation Bill, adding that the legislature would improve on its oversight functions to enable Nigerians to reap maximum benefits of the 2012 budget when signed into law.

We need more prayers —Fayemi

By Sam Nwaoko, Ado Ekiti

Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, while felicitating with Christians, urged them to see the Yuletide as an another opportunity to reflect on and pray for peace and development of the state and the country in general.

Governor Fayemi, in a Christmas message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, also charged the people of the state to use the period for "sober reflection, spiritual rejuvenation and demonstration of love for one another.”

According to Fayemi, “Christmas is not only about eating, drinking and merriment, but a time to imbibe the lessons of love, sacrifice, compassion and good neighbourliness which the birth of Christ symbolises.”

He said “the birth of Jesus Christ demonstrates God’s love for mankind in His desire to give salvation to man and reconcile man to Himself,” adding that “Christmas shows that God has an undying interest in the affairs of men.”

The governor appealed to the people of the state in particular and Nigerians in general to “pray, work and hope for a better society, knowing that God is in control.”

Fayemi also enjoined the people of the state to celebrate Christmas with moderation and avoid any act that could cause the breach of peace during the Yuletide.

While urging the people of the state to continue to pray for the success of his administration, Fayemi maintained that his administration “is fully committed tothe delivery of good governance and to make poverty a thing of the past in the state,” saying he had laid “a solid foundation for the transformation of the state.”

Akinjide erects national X-mass tree

By Dare Adekanmbi

Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, for the first time in the history of the FCT administration, erected the national Christmas tree in commemoration of the season.

The tree, which is located at the Unity Garden, opposite Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Maitama, Abuja, and installed  last Wednesday, is eight by four meters and will be on location until Saturday, 7 January, 2012.

A statement by the minister’s media assistant, Alhaji Kehinde Isiaka, said the tree represented the best Christmas tradition and symbolised the spirit of national unity, peace and goodwill to all Nigerians.

It added that the novel initiative was conceptualised by the minister in collaboration with the Department of Arts and Culture of the FCT administration.

“On the festival front, the national Christmas tree adds glamour and sophistication to the nation’s capital and is a source of delight to all, both residents and non-residents of Abuja. The Federal Capital Territory itself is a national project,” the statement said.

Let peace reign

—Akinfenwa

The Anglican Archbishop of Ibadan province and bishop of Ibadan diocese, Archbishop J. O. Akinfenwa, called for continued sustenance of peace across the country.

The cleric stated this in his Christmas message, holding that it was pertinent that the reason for the birth of Jesus be understood by all and appropriately appreaciated.

Okotie wants Nigerians to emulate Christ

Also, the presiding pastor of the Household of God, Reverend Chris Okotie, called on Nigerians to emulate the love of Christ.

According to him, “Nigerians should emulate the love of Christ and love one another. We should eschew violence and live in peace so that we may collectively confront the nation’s myriad of problems.

Sustain Nigeria’s existence

—Sangogade

President of Apostolic Church of Christ (ACC) Worldwide, Apostle (Dr.) Kehinde Sangogade, advised the Federal Government and Nigerians at large to sustain the corporate existence of Nigeria by finding urgent solution to the current security challenges.

In his Christmas message obtained in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Saturday, Apostle Sangogade expressed concern over the incessant bombing perpetrated by “the so-called Boko Haram sect.”

He called on the Federal Government to address the security problems, rather than remove oil subsidy which he said could spark up another crisis in the country.

Apostolic Sangogade warned politicians to respect the wish of the masses who voted them into power.

Also, senior pastor of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Reformationland, Olunloyo Akanran road, Ibadan, Prophet Timothy Arabambi, called on Nigerians to allow peace to reign as Christmas is being marked worldwide.

Rep preaches love

By Olaoluwa Mimiola

A member of the House of Representatives representing OgoOluwa Surulere Constituency, Honourable Segun Odebunmi, urged Christians to let the lesson of the birth of Jesus Christ, which preaches love and humility, reflect in their dealings with fellow human beings and towards the growth of the country

According to Odebunmi, Nigerians, irrespective of their religious beliefs should show love to one another as demonstrated by Jesus Christ to the people of the world when He came.

He appealed to religious leaders not to relent on their efforts at teaching people the path of God and the need to cooperate with the government in its bid to move the nation forward.

Senate deputy whip wants Christians to be careful

By Moses Alao

The senator repre-senting Oyo North Senatorial District who is also deputy majority whip of the Senate, Chief Hosea Agboola, while wishing Christians the joy and prosperity that the season brings, urged them to be law-abiding and careful during the festivities.

Agboola, who spoke with Sunday Tribune on Saturday, said Christmas was a joyful period that offered people around the world “the glorious moments of love, brotherhood and peace,” urging Nigerians to remember the reason for the season by embracing peace, love and selflessness.

“I wish all Nigerians, especially my constituents in Ogbomoso and Oke Ogun, a merry Christmas. May the Lord continue to fill them all with joy. I also urge them to continue to love one another and embrace values that unite us as a country. They should continue to live together in peace and harmony,” he said.

Ondo State governor, Dr, Olusegun Mimiko, enjoined Christians in the country to remain committed to the ideals of Christmas as such is the only way to accord proper meaning to the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the only begotten son of God.

He also enjoined Christ followers to see the celebration of Christmas as a season of sharing and exhibit love for one another, because it is out of love for humanity that God gave His only son as a ransom for our sins.

In his goodwill message signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Eni Akinsola,  governor Mimiko advised that the earlier Christians begin to recommit themselves to the ideals of Christmas, the better it will be for the Nigeria society.

Oshiomhole seeks leaders’ compassion

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State urged leaders at all levels to demonstrate greater compassion for the people, saying this is consistent with Christ’s message of charity and love for others.

In his Christmas message, the governor said, “I wish to extend my felicitations to our Christian brothers and sisters as we celebrate this year’s Christmas.

“While we make merry, we need to be reminded that Christmas is essentially a celebration of the love of God and the promise of everlasting life for which He gave His only begotten son to the world.

“It is, therefor,e a season to appreciate the abiding goodness of God and a season to dispense goodwill and charity to family, neigbours and community.”

Be law-abiding, Rep charges Christians

By Segun Adebayo

Lawmaker repre-senting Ijebu Central Federal Constituency, Honourable Kehinde Odeneye, enjoined Christians to remain law abiding citizens as they celebrate the birth of Christ.

Odeneye, while speaking with Sunday Tribune on Saturday, said Christians should use the festive season to seek the face of God in prayers for the nation as they celebrate Yuletide, urging Nigerians to continue to love one another and embrace the virtues that unite the country.

Take after Jesus, Sylva charge Nigerians

By Oluwole Ige, Yenagoa

Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, charged Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the moral values of Jesus Christ by eschewing acts capable of threatening peaceful co-existence among the various nationalities in  the nation.

In a Christmas message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Doifie Ola, a copy of which was made available to Sunday Tribune, the governor said “there is crucial need for all Nigerians, most especially Christians, to renew their faith in Jesus Christ by imbibing values and virtues that could promote peace and tranquility.”

Yuguda ccharges on peace, love

By Saliu Gbadamosi, Bauchi

Bauchi State governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda, urged Nigerians to imbibe virtues of peace, honesty, love and fear of God.

He stated this in his Christmas goodwill message made available in Bauchi to Sunday Tribune, adding that people should put these virtues into practice in their day-to-day activities.

Time to show love —Alao-Akala

Immediate past governor of Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, observed that the Christmas creates an opportunity for  Nigerians to show love and care for the needy through donation in various forms so as to make life meaningful to them.

Alao-Akala made the observation in his Christmas message at the end of this year’s Xmas carol with nine lessons organised at the instance of the former governor at Opadoyin Akala lodge, Randa area, Ogbomoso on Friday.

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