Christmas: Political leaders call for peace, unity, as citizens cry for help
…Buhari, Lawan, Sanwo-Olu, Jonathan, others hammer on peace, unity, love
…Reach out to less privileged, vote for those who will maintain momentum created for greater good — Buhari
…It’s a season of reflection – Sanwo-Olu
…Nigeria at the point where we must allow God to guide — Akeredolu
By Moses Adeniyi, Akintunde Jacobs
As many households cry to the Government for help over harsh economy which has changed the tide of celebrating Christmas, Nigerian political leaders have emphasised the need for citizens to live in peace, unity and love as the struggle to fix the nation continues.
In his Christmas message, President Muhammadu Buhari said it is important to make this Christmas “a spectacular one by renewing our pledge and common resolve to work for the unity and prosperity of our dear country.”
Buhari who has less than 22 weeks to hand over power to another Administration, emphasising that this Christmas would be his last in office as elected President of the Country, said he will continue to provide political and material support to all stakeholders “working wholeheartedly for the peace, unity, stability and progress of Nigeria.”
He said it is important never to lose sight of the symbiotic relationship between Christmas and hope; Jesus Christ and humility, Christianity and Grace, “o reach out to the less privileged, bearing in mind “it is a season of love, joy and peace.”
On the general elections, he implored citizens to be circumspect and vote for those that will maintain the momentum his government created for the greater good of the country.
His message reads, ”I heartily rejoice with our Christian brothers and sisters on the occasion of this year’s Christmas.
“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.
“For me and my family, this year’s celebration is unique. It is my last as your elected President. Twenty-two weeks from now, this administration will hand over to another.
“In the last seven years, I have had the privilege of receiving members of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) community on Christmas homage, except the year the COVID-19 pandemic denied us that opportunity. I will fondly remember them as my benevolent landlords and friendly neighbours.
“It is crucial that I remember this about my closest neighbours because there is no better way for us to celebrate Christmas as a people than showing genuine love, care, compassion and empathy for one another.
“We must never lose sight of the symbiotic relationship between Christmas and hope; Jesus Christ and humility, Christianity and grace.
“In this season of love, joy and peace, let us not fail to remember those who really wish to celebrate but are constrained in one way or the other by reaching out to them.
“Together we can make this celebration a spectacular one by renewing our pledge and common resolve to work for the unity and prosperity of our dear country.
“Until my last day in office, I will continue to provide political and material support to sub-national governments, the Armed Forces, institutions and individuals working wholeheartedly for the peace, unity, stability and progress of Nigeria.
“The advances we have made so far on the economic front, especially in infrastructure; food security, anti-corruption, security, energy sufficiency, among others, will need to be built on.
“This joyous season has coincided with the period of campaigns to usher in a new administration. I urge you to be circumspect and vote for those that will maintain the momentum we have created for the greater good of the country.
“It is another opportunity to show the rest of the world that Nigeria is indeed ready to consolidate its democratic credentials as has been noted in international circles. Let the peace and joy that pervade this period continue well into the new year up to the elections in February and beyond.
“I want to assure Nigerians that those who violently seek to disrupt the peace of our nation have lost the battle.
“Our country is blessed with a wealth of human and material resources. Let’s celebrate our blessings this season with the trust that a better dawn awaits Nigeria.
“I wish you all a Merry Christmas,” a statement containing the message added.
On his part, the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, while felicitating with Christians in Nigeria as they join fellow Christians across the world in celebrating Christmas to mark the birth of Jesus Christ, enjoined Nigerians to spread the messages of love, peace, hope and tolerance which Jesus Christ preached by personal example.
He urged Nigerians to live by the “great instructions” of love preached by Jesus Christ as “we seek to build a virile and happy nation.”
“I heartily rejoice with Christians in Nigeria as they celebrate this annual festival of the birth of Jesus Christ.
“The life and teachings of Jesus Christ enjoins his followers through holy living to be the light and salt that make the world brighter and better for mankind.
“Jesus Christ also commanded his followers to love their neighbours just as they love themselves and to seek peace in the society.
“Abiding by those great instructions is important for Christians everywhere and for all of us in Nigeria as we seek to build a virile and happy nation.
“The National Assembly will continue to promote good governance so that we can overcome our development challenges and set our country firmly on the path of progress, peace and unity.
“The ninth National Assembly has been working with the Executive Arm in the last three and a half years to improve service delivery by government and all its institutions, to raise the standard of living of Nigerians.
“In true spirit of this August occasion, let us also remember to pray for divine guidance for those piloting the affairs of our country, Nigeria,” a statement conveying the message signed by the Special Adviser (Media) to the President of the Senate read.
…It’s a season of reflection — Sanwo-Olu
On his part, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, urged Nigerians, especially Lagosians to continue to live in peace and harmony as they celebrate Christmas, saying it is a season for reflection to usher in “bigger and greater things.”
He also appealed to Lagosians to celebrate the season of the birth of Jesus Christ, with moderation.
Governor Sanwo-Olu in his Christmas message while speaking to journalists in Lagos, reiterated his administration’s commitment to delivering more dividends of democracy to residents of the State in the years ahead.
The Governor implored Lagosians to protect and use infrastructure provided by the government very well so that incoming generations can also enjoy the dividends of democracy.
He said, “This is another opportunity to say compliments of the season and to wish all the residents and people of Lagos State a Merry Christmas, a very peaceful holiday season and a prosperous New Year in advance.
“2022 has been a year of several things for us but it has been a year of prosperity for Lagos; a year in which we have broken all barriers that hinder us before now and you can see purposeful development. You can see that our THEMES agenda this year has touched all of our pillars and I cannot begin to role them out here today.
“I just want to assure our citizens that the government and the people of Lagos State will continue to be law-abiding. 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.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu also urged Lagosians to perform their civic responsibilities during the next year’s general elections and the 2023 Population and Housing Census.
He said, “Next year is very important for our country because it is a year for the general elections. It is also a year for the national census. So, we all have to be on the same page.
“We have to know that we have a responsibility as citizens to perform our civil role in all of these activities and to ensure that all of the assets of the government are preserved and are used well. People must continue to ensure that they protect and they use infrastructure well so that generations coming behind us can also enjoy the dividends of democracy.”
…Nigeria at the point where we must allow God to guide — Akeredolu
On his part, Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has said the Country is at a juncture where God must be allowed to guide and direct.
He called on Christians across the country to embrace goals and ideals that will promote societal common good and bring stability to the country.
Governor Akeredolu, made the call on Saturday in Akure in his felicitation statement to the good people of Ondo state and Nigeria at large on the occasion of the Christmas celebration.
The Governor, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, therefore, charged the people to imbibe the lessons of the birth and life of Jesus Christ.
“We must reflect deeply on the reason for the season. The birth of Jesus Christ is significant in many ways. It teaches love, tolerance and sacrifice. Let us be deliberate in imbibing the lessons in this season.
“Our religion teaches us to extend love and embrace sincerity. As children of God, Let’s us show love and follow the path of Jesus Christ in selfless sacrifice.
“We all have a duty to perform in Nation-building and national development. Our dear country is at the point where we must allow God to guide us and open our eyes to see beyond our space. As Christians, we need to understand that only the best is good for us.
“We must shun religious profiling and embrace quality minds whose track records are alluring to lead our nation. There is need for us all to be dispassionate about the choice of leadership.
“Let us all join hands to pray that God Almighty will continue to strengthen our resolve to do our best to transform our Land and the people of this state. Christ’s birth was the mingling of divinity with humanity. We must put humanity first.
“In the spirit of the season, let us take time to reflect on the essence of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ over 2000 years ago. Let’s love one another and promote the happiness of all.
“We have every reason to thank God for what we are able to achieve in 2022. The year 2023, I’m sure, with our prayers, will usher in peace, progress and prosperity for us all.”
…Approach this season with renewed faith — Jonathan
On his part, former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan in his Christmas goodwill message to Nigerians Christmas called for love, unity and peace among Christians and others around the world.
In a statement released by his media office on Friday, Dr Jonathan urged Nigerians to “approach this season of Christmas with optimism and renewed faith in ourselves and our country.”
“At Christmas, we celebrate love, hope and joy, which the birth of Jesus heralds to the world. As individuals and as a nation, we face different challenges. But we should not allow that to weaken our faith in God and our country, as well as imperil our shared promise of greatness and prosperity.
“Let us approach this season of Christmas with optimism and renewed faith in ourselves and our country. Let us exhibit love, tolerance, a sense of unity and peace towards our neighbours and all around us during this season and beyond. Merry Christmas.”
Economic conditions have left Nigerians this season with a lamentation as inflation and other key indices have largely been on the negative side.
The prices of food items have been on the high side with hyperinflation, leaving many with lamentation.
The cost of living recently with the scale of hyperinflation worsened by scorching economic conditions, have made a lamenting narrative for the festivities which used to be mouthwatering to become soured for many groping for survival.
Recent indices of the Nigerian economy have shown, as projected before now by experts, that the Christmas and New Year festivities would not take the fanfare mode.
Mid December, the National Bureau of Statistics disclosed that Nigeria’s inflation rate rose for the 10th consecutive month in November to 21.47 per cent from 21.09 per cent recorded a month earlier amid a continuing increase in food and energy prices.
The statistics office said the prices of goods and services, measured by the Consumer Price Index, increased by 21.47 per cent in November 2022 compared to the rate in November 2021.
Food inflation rate in November stood at 24.13 per cent on a year-on-year basis, which was 6.92 per cent higher compared to the rate recorded in November 2021 (17.21 per cent).
In major cities of the Country, the prices of a good sized chicken sold now between N12,000 – N15,000, while the price for a good sized turkey about an 100 percent increase from the price it was sold last Christmas, sold for N45,000 – N55,000.
The prices of rice oil, both vegetable and oil palm, among others, are no more good for consideration. Although without uniform price, a 50kg bag of rice sells on average between N35,000 – N40,000
The situation has left many households groaning, as they seek for best substitutions with rationalisation and alternatives.
