Governors and ministers yesterday urged Nigerians to be hopeful as President Bola Ahmed Tinubutackles the challenges facing the country through the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
They also urged Nigerians, especially Christians, to always show love, compassion, and tolerance as exemplified by Jesus Christ, whose birth is being celebrated globally today.
In their separate Christmas messages, the governors and ministers also stressed the need for Nigerians to pray for the peace.
Governors Dapo Abiodun,(Ogun),, Seyi Makinde, Bassey Otu(Cross River), and Caleb Mutfwang(Plateau). The ministers were Nyesom Wike( Federal Capital Territory(FCT), Adebayo Adelabu(Power), and Iziaq Salako (Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare) congratulated Nigerians for witnessing another Christmas.
Prominent leaders who also felicitated Nigerians included former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, erstwhile Labour, and Employment Minister Chris Ngige; Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin; former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi and National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) Director-General Temitope Ilori.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Christopher Musa also rejoiced with troops, whom he praised for their resilience in the anti-terrorism war.
Abiodun called on Nigerians to look beyond the present economic challenges and be optimistic about a better tomorrow.
He admonished Ogun State residents to be tolerant of others with different religious beliefs.
Emphasing the need for all Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the growth and development of the country, Abiodun reaffirmed his commitment to improving the living standards of Ogun people.
He said: “As we celebrate this special season in moderation, let us all have it at the back of our mind that the present economic challenges facing our nation are ephemeral and there is a bigger picture of hope ahead.
“We must support all the reforms embarked upon by President Bola Tinubu towards the revitalisation of our hitherto weak economy and ensure prosperity.
“This is not rocket science as we have begun to see its positive impacts in all sectors,”
Makinde called on Christians to use the Christmas season to pray for the state and Nigeria.
Makinde, who prayed for those mourning the loss of their relatives at a children’s funfair in Ibadan last week, advised people celebrating Christmas to do so responsibly.
He urged residents to report suspicious movements to security agencies through the State Emergency Number 615.
Makinde said: “I wish all Christians and residents of Oyo State a Merry Christmas.
“Christmas presents another opportunity to spread love and to make supplications for our state and our country.
“We should remember those mourning the loss of their children in the recent stampede and pray that God will console them and give them the fortitude to bear the loss.
“I also urge residents of the state to be observant and vigilant at this period. They should report any suspicion to security agencies through 615.
“As we always say, if you see something, say something and the government will do something. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in advance.”
In Calabar, Cross Rivers State, Governor Bassey Otu urged Nigerians to spread love, kindness, and unity in communities as they celebrate the season.
He acknowledged the economic challenges confronting residents of the state, assuring that his administration is planting seeds for an economic turnaround.’’
His words: “We are planting seeds for economic turnaround and significant progress in our state and country.”
Otu assured that sustained governmental policies will yield positive results in the coming year.’’
He also highlighted the importance of unity and love in overcoming challenges.
In his message, Governor Mutfwang called on Christians to embody the values of love, kindness, and generosity as exemplified by Jesus Christ.
He also called on residents to pray for the peace, unity, and progress of the state and Nigeria.
Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang congratulating the people for witnessing the season of joy and happiness.
“It is with profound joy and gratitude to Almighty God that I extend my warmest greetings and best wishes to you as we celebrate the glorious occasion of Christmas,’ he said in a statement by his spokesman Gyang Bere.
Mutfwang added: “Christmas is a season of love, selflessness, and generosity. It is a time to embrace unity, share with those in need, and renew our commitment to building bridges of understanding and reconciliation.
“I sincerely pray that this season inspires us to work together for peace, uplift one another, and foster the virtues that strengthen our communities.’’
Former Vice-President Abubakar implored Nigerians to be guided by compassion and selflessness.
He urged them to cherish the significance of Christmas as a time for reflection and togetherness.
Atiku also urged Nigerians, particularly Christians, to express gratitude for the season despite the many challenges confronting the nation.
He said: “It is a blessing that we can once again celebrate the events leading to the birth of Christ, despite the adversity we face.”
Urging political leaders to make the necessary sacrifices for the nation’s collective good, Atiku also appealed to Nigerians to remain united and embrace one another with love.
“With love and unity, there is no obstacle too great to overcome. Let us, therefore, come together to share love and joy with all people of goodwill,” he added.
Wike urged residents of the FCT to rededicate themselves to God and be law -abiding.
“Since Jesus Christ whose birth is the reason for the celebration of Christmas obeyed the commandments of God, Christians, too, must keep the commandments, especially by showing love to people around us and teaching others to do the same,” Wike said.
His admonition was contained in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka.
The minister said “with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, things will keep getting better.”
Wike congratulated FCT residents ‘’for the grace of celebrating another Christmas.’’
He prayed that God to celebrate the season would also ‘’ensure that we all celebrate many more Christmases in good health.’’
The minister also sympathised ‘’with families of victims of the recent stampede in Abuja’’.
Power Minister Adelabu called on Christians and Nigerians to emulate the selfless sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
He also urged Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the betterment of fellow Nigerians and the country by reflecting on the sacrifice Jesus made to redeem humanity.
Adelabu assured Nigerians of President Tinubu’s commitment to delivering on his Renewed Hope Agenda.
He expressed optimism that Nigerians would soon begin to reap the dividends of democracy.
He said: “On this occasion of the birth of Jesus Christ, this is to wish our Christian brothers and sisters a wonderful celebration.
“Let us all reflect on the sacrifice that the Saviour of the World, made by becoming a mere mortal, in other to redeem us of our sins.
“We are encouraged by this huge and monumental sacrifice of Jesus Christ, to also key into this sacrifice, in giving our support to the economic reforms by President Tinubu.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Isiak Salako, advised Nigerians to expect a better life next year because of the reforms of President Tinubu.
He also urged Nigerians to exercise patience with the government as it tackles the challenges.
Salako gave the encouragement while distributing rice and fertiliser as well as offering medical services in Ayetoro, headquarters of Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State.
He said: “On the ground, we have 1,300 bags of rice and 600 bags of fertiliser. Our party members are benefiting 30 percent of the palliatives, and then the market women, whose coordinator is the Iyaloja will also benefit. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Muslim Communities will not be left out.
“We will also reach out to individual leaders in the five LGs. Our Baales and traditional rulers are also beneficiaries. What we have done is to at least ensure that representatives of the identified groups are on the ground to receive on behalf of their members.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland urged Christians to emulate the virtues of Jesus Christ.
The attributes, according to the monarch, include love, forgiveness, provision for the needy, tolerance, and peace.
Oba Olakulehin’s message was given at his palace in Oke Aremo, Ibadan.
Stressing the need to love one another, the monarch stated that lack of genuine love amongst citizens was ‘’the bane of our society and indeed the world. ‘’
He stressed the need for a Christ-driven love across the world in order to eliminate all the vices and injustice pervading in the society.
Fayemi urged Nigerians to remain hopeful and committed to building a better nation despite the challenges of the past year.
The former governor, in a statement by his media office, described the season as a time for hope, renewal, and reflection.
He highlighted the importance of looking back on the country’s struggles and determining to forge ahead.
“The past year has tested our national resilience,” Fayemi, a former chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, noted.
He added “We have confronted economic difficulties, security concerns, and social upheavals that have left many struggling to make ends meet. Yet, amid these challenges, the strength, resourcefulness, and enduring spirit of Nigerians have continued to shine brightly.”
He called on Nigerians to embrace the message of Christmas—love, compassion, and sacrifice—and draw inspiration from the sacrifices of Jesus Christ by becoming their brother’s keeper and supporting the vulnerable members of our communities..
Ngige, a one time governor of Anambra State, called for prayer for the nation to overcome all its challenges.
According to him, the holiness and solemnity of Christmas also offer an opportunity for quiet reflection by Nigerians on their individual lives and the future of the nation.
Ngige described Christ as good news worth celebrating globally and year after year, regardless of the challenges confronting humanity.
According to him, notwithstanding that Jesus Christ was born under humble circumstances, he remained a phenomenal figure in the history of Christendom and humanity in general.
The former minister urged Christians to emulate Christ and use the period of His birth to show care, compassion, and love to others, especially the less privileged in the society.
The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) called on all Nigerians to prioritise their health during the holiday.
NACA Director General (DG) Ilori, who said Christmas is a time for joy and celebration, stressed thatit also presents an opportunity to make informed and responsible decisions about one’s health.
“We urge everyone to take advantage of the free and confidential HIV testing services available across the country,” Ilori said in a statement by the agency’s spokesperson, Toyin Aderibigbe.
CDS praises troops’ resilience in anti-terrorism war
CDS Musa urged members of the Armed Forces to use the Christmas period for reflection on the immeasurable love of God for them and members of their families.
Gen.Musa also enjoined them ‘’to ensure the year 2025 is defined by positive changes in the security narratives in all our theatres of operations.”
To other Nigerians, the CDS said they should continue to abide by the teachings of love, forgiveness, and togetherness as exemplified by Jesus Christ.
In a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Brig-Gen. Tukur Gusau, the CDS noted that the birth of Jesus Christ heralded good tidings and hope to the hopeless.
The statement reads : “The CDS noted that the year has been eventful, dotted with few incidents. Despite all these, Almighty God has been gracious and merciful unto us as we are alive to witness another Christmas celebration.
“We do remember with a heavy heart that some of our colleagues who started the year with us, lost their lives in the process of keeping our nation safe from all forms of insecurity occasioned by the activities of terrorists, bandits, and other non-state actors.
“As a mark of respect to our colleagues who paid the supreme price, the CDS urged our troops to ensure the year 2025 is defined by positive changes in the security narratives in all our theatres of operations.” Gen. Musa also acknowledged troops’ resilience, and their will to fight in various theatres of operations across the nation.
He saluted their ‘’courage and sacrifices in securing the lives and prosperity of our dear country,’’ and assured that the Armed Forces would continue to align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.