The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), governors, and President Muhammadu Buhari have urged Nigerians to celebrate this year’s Christmas in love and peace.
In his message on Saturday, Buhari urged Nigerians to put aside their differences and enjoy the joy and love that the holiday season brings. He also claimed that the seven years since he became president of Nigeria have brought him many fond memories, with the 2022 celebration serving as his final one.
“I heartily rejoice with our Christian brothers and sisters on the occasion of this year’s Christmas,” Buhari, who leaves office next year, said.
“Many of us look forward to this festive season as a time to travel, share gifts, spend quality time with family and friends, attend special carols and events, and generally relive the good moments of the year. In whatever circumstances we find ourselves, Christmas is a period when we come together to rejoice and set aside our differences.”
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In the same vein, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, president of the CAN, sent a second word of encouragement for the nation, which the organisation described as being in a “precarious situation.”
The worst rate of inflation since 2005, according to Archbishop Daniel Okoh, who noted that Nigeria is plagued by insecurity and a difficult economy. According to the most recent government statistics, 133 million Nigerians, or 63 percent of the country’s population, live in “multidimensional poverty,” a measure that takes child mortality, access to power, and clean water into account.
Despite this, the umbrella Christian organisation advised “religious and political leaders, as well as the media, to use this Christmas season to reinforce the optimism of the public in a better, more secure Nigeria by 2023.”
“Let the Yuletide season be a period of strengthening ourselves and others; reminding one another that there is no difficult situation that the presence of Jesus cannot address; giving hope to the hopeless; comforting the oppressed and being the voice of the voiceless.
“The prophecies of the birth of our Lord assure us His enduring presence which delivers from all troubles and will surely restore the dignity and joy of our dear country, Nigeria.”
In their Christmas messages, state governors also reaffirmed love and hope, assuring Nigerians that despite the nation’s many challenges on several fronts, things will turn out better.
“I join the Christian faithful in our dear Rivers State and the entire world in celebrating the joyous occasion of Christmas,” Governor Nyesom Wike said.
“As we remember the true meaning of this glorious festivity, may we emulate the Lord Jesus Christ’s love, and kindness by extending our hands to the less privileged among us.”
Similar thoughts were expressed by Governor Ademola Adeleke, who urged Nigerians not to lose sight of the season’s purpose.
“This season is another opportunity to rededicate ourselves to the true teachings of Jesus Christ, which has love at its heart. In love, we will have no trouble enduring each others’ differences and live in harmony, which holds the key to prosperity,” he added.
“As much as I share in the joy that comes with the period, may I indulge us not to forget the very essence of the celebration, and in that regard, ensure we use the occasion to bond with our neighbours and more, help the needy.”
“I just want to assure our citizens that the government and the people of Lagos State will continue to be law-abiding,” Governor Sanwo-Olu told Lagosians in his Christmas message.
“We will continue to live in peace and harmony among ourselves, and even as we go into this yuletide season let us celebrate with moderation and know that the season is for us also to reflect and ensure that as New Year comes in, it is for bigger and greater things to happen.”
In a similar spirit, Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom urged for harmony and religious tolerance between and among various believers as a remedy for the nation’s sporadic conflicts.
In a message of goodwill to Nigerians in honour of the Christmas holiday this year, Ortom urged interreligious cooperation that will promote peace and peaceful coexistence. He asked the nation’s Christians to continue persistently praying to the All-Powerful God for help in resolving the numerous security, socioeconomic, and political issues that the country is currently facing.
The governor urged Christians to uphold the sanctity of Jesus Christ’s birth as the cause for the holiday, noting that doing so would be to “re-enact the spirit of love, peace, good neighbourliness, and forgiveness which our saviour preached.”
The President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, encouraged Christians to promote the lessons of love, peace, hope, and tolerance that Jesus Christ preached by personal example while joining in on a Christmas goodwill message to Nigerian Christians.
He asserted that Jesus Christ’s life and teachings exhort His followers to live holy lives that serve as the light and salt that enlighten and improve the human condition in the world.
