Christmas: Tinubu reaffirms commitment to religious freedom, unity
...aa Lagos Speaker urges citizens to celebrate with love, forgiveness
By Sodiq Adelakun
Nigeria's sitting President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring religious freedom and unity in the country.
In a Christmas message personally signed by him, President Tinubu urged Nigerians to let shared faith values unite them as a single, resilient nation, stressing that love, tolerance, and goodwill are essential for national harmony.
“The love for God and love for humanity is at the heart of all the great faiths. These shared values must continue to bind us together as one indivisible and resilient people of our blessed country,” He stated.
The President also highlighted the contributions of Christians to the development of the country, noting their role in promoting peace and caring for the vulnerable.
“The love of Christ and the message of the Gospel have inspired many Christians to care for the vulnerable and less privileged in our society. We honour those who, following the example of Jesus, work tirelessly to promote peace, harmony, and tolerance in their communities,” the statement reads partly.
Tinubu further reassured Nigerians of his administration’s unwavering commitment to religious freedom and the protection of all citizens regardless of faith.
“As your President, I remain committed to doing everything within my power to enshrine religious freedom in Nigeria and to protect all people of different faiths from violence,” he said.
Addressing the festive season, the President urged citizens to exercise patience and caution while travelling.
“As many Nigerians travel to reunite with family and loved ones during this holiday period, I urge all citizens to exercise patience and maintain discipline on the roads. I wish all travellers a safe journey and a safe return to their destinations,” he added.
Tinubu encouraged Nigerians to draw inspiration from the Christmas message of hope and collective responsibility, saying that with divine providence and national unity, the country would continue to grow and prosper.
“With confidence in divine providence and our collective strength, we will continue the work of building a greater Nigeria – one that future generations will be proud of,” the President added.
In the same vein, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudasiru Obasa, has urged residents to embrace the spirit of love, tolerance and selfless sacrifice during Christmas.
In a festive message delivered on Wednesday, Obasa, who represents Agege Constituency 1, described Christmas as a season for peace and forgiveness, calling on Lagosians to act as their “brother’s keeper.”
“Jesus Christ exemplified love, tolerance and personal sacrifice for the welfare of others. If we can emulate these virtues, our nation will continue to experience development, growth and economic renewal,” Obasa said.
The Speaker also encouraged residents to remain law-abiding and to avoid actions or statements that could create disorder or threaten public safety. He urged citizens to stay vigilant, assist security agencies, and report any suspicious activities promptly.
Obasa commended Nigerians for their perseverance and continued support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) at both the state and federal levels, assuring that the government would continue implementing policies and programmes to improve the welfare of the people.
“Like Oliver Twist, we will continue to seek your prayers and support. I wish everyone a joyous and peaceful Christmas celebration,” he added.