Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has enjoined Nigerians to embrace the virtues of peaceful co-existence and refrain from fanning the embers of disunity.
In his Christmas message, the governor said it was only through peaceful co-existence that the country could attain its aspirations.
Fashola said the essence of Christmas was sacrifice and love, urging Nigerians to seize the opportunity of the season to be their brother’s keepers.
“It is living in peace and harmonious co-existence and respecting each other’s right, we can live freely and peacefully as well as being our brothers’ keepers that we are truly celebrating the essence of Christmas,” he said.
The governor urged all Nigerians to see the 2015 general elections as way of strengthening democracy in the country.
He urged Nigerians to participate actively in the forthcoming elections.
Fashola said the security challenges in the country should not be used as an avenue to create division along ethnic and religious lines.
Fashola noted that Nigeria had always been a heterogeneous nation and that the people should resist any attempt by politicians to highlight such ethnic differences to further their selfish ends.
He urged residents of the state to be security conscious, especially during the festive period, by not indulging in things that could compromise their safety and the security of the state.
While wishing Lagosians a Merry Christmas, Fashola urged them to continue to support the government’s developmental projects to ensure the development of the state.