The National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in the South West, Chief Segun Oni, has urged Nigerians, especially members and supporters of the PDP in the South West, to use the Christmas period to rededicate themselves afresh to the service of the Almighty God.
Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Lere Olayinka, Oni, in his Christmas goodwill message, said: “More than merry-making, Nigerians should reflect deeper on the humility that characterised the birth of Jesus Christ and the fulfilment of God’s promises concerning His birth.
“As the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ also symbolises love and fulfilment of God’s promises, it has become more than ever necessary that, not minding what anyone must have done to us, we must not stop being kind and dedicated to God.
“I want to use the occasion of this Christmas to urge all Nigerians irrespective of their to rededicate themselves afresh to the service of the Almighty God.
“Let us continue to show love to people around us bearing in mind that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a wide open heart that thinks of others first.”
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has urged the Christian faithful to follow in the footsteps of Christ by doing good to all men.
In his Christmas message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Peter Okhiria, Oshiomhole said: “The faithful should use the Christmas season to show love and do good to all men, even as the progenitor of the faith did over 2000 years ago.
“As we celebrate with family and friends, we should not forget the teaching of Jesus Christ in Matthew 22:39 to love our neighbours as ourselves.
“The message in this teaching should not be lost as it would heal our nation of her woes if imbibed by all.
“As a state, this is the unique opportunity for us to sober-reflect on our journey thus far. It is an opportunity for us to ask at the individual level the salient question: ‘what impact have I made towards the growth of our state.’
“As we celebrate, we should not forget the less-privileged in the society by extending a hand of love to them.
“I salute the Christian community in the state for their continued peaceful co-existence with people of other faith and for their continued prayers and support.
“I wish all faithful a Merry Christmas.”
The Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has congratulated the entire Christian community in Nigeria on the celebration of the 2012 Christmas.
Amosun said despite the challenges confronting us as a nation, adherents of all faiths “have cause to celebrate because we are alive and resolutely determined to overcome those challenges.”
In a press release signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Funmi Wakama, Amosun said the birth of Christ signified the love of God for mankind, triumph of good over evil and victory of light over darkness.
He urged Christian faithfuls to use the opportunity of the season to reflect on the reasons for the birth of Christ and keep hope alive.
“Notwithstanding the difficult circumstances of the birth of Jesus Christ, His life remains today a perfect example for the world,” the governor said.
He commended the religious harmony in Ogun State and urged followers of different faiths all over the country to take their cue from the state.
“Religion should be a source of strength and not a cause for disunity because no faith condones violence or preaches hatred,” Amosun said.
The governor urged the people of the state to use the period of the Xmas to pray for the state so that development, peace and security would continue to reign.
While wishing Christians a happy celebration, he urged them to at all times be guided by the teachings of Jesus Christ as contained in the Holy Bible.
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has charged the people of the state, particularly Christians, to imbibe the spirit of love, humility, peace and selfless service, which the birth of Jesus Christ has brought to the world.
Ajimobi gave the charge while speaking at the 2012 Christmas Carol Service and Nine Lessons held on Sunday at the Remembrance Arcade, Government House, Ibadan.
The governor also stressed the need for Christians to be benevolent by giving to those in need and by forgiving those who offended them in any way.
“Let us try and forgive those who offended us; for those of you who I might have offended knowingly or unknowingly, particularly those of you who have had your kiosks on the streets where you are not supposed to trade removed, I pray for forgiveness,” he said.
The governor called on leaders to always seek wisdom and courage to do what is right for the progress, unity and development of the country.
He commended the spiritual leaders in the state for their continued prayers which he said had contributed to the success of his administration so far.
Ajimobi noted that the state had been enjoying relative peace since the inception of his administration, adding that despite the fact that there were three political parties in government, there had been peaceful co-existence between the executive and the legislature.
The Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, has called on Nigerians to remain steadfast in their prayers for peace and unity in the country.
Akinjide, in her yuletide message, signed by her Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Oluyinka Akintunde, stated that the country could only realise its full potentials in an ambiance of peace and unity.
She beseeched the citizens to reflect the virtues of love, peace and tolerance as exemplified by Jesus Christ in order to build a new Nigeria.
She said: “The Christmas period is celebrated as a season of peace, goodwill and hope across national boundaries.
“It offers us a unique opportunity to express and share Christ’s message of love, peace, unity and reconciliation to all men and women.
“Residents of the FCT should use the festive period for increased spiritual devotion towards living in peace and harmony with adherents of other faiths.
“By so doing, we will be emulating Jesus Christ in words and deeds and imbibing the core lessons of love, tolerance, sacrifice and generosity which Christ stood for.”
Akinjide, who supervises the six Area Councils of the Territory, assured the FCT residents that the Administration would continue to pursue policies and programmes that would impact positively on their lives.
She added: “The Administration is making considerable progress in the transformation of the FCT.
“It will continue to identify and develop job creation opportunities for the people in order to achieve inclusive growth.”
Akinjide, who wished residents a blissful Christmas and rewarding New Year, prayed that the New Year would usher in more progress, prosperity and fulfillment for the people and the nation.
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