Jonathan, Mark and Tambuwal
President Goodluck Jonathan, the President of the Senate, David Mark, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, on Tuesday felicitated with Nigerians, especially Christians, as they celebrate this year’s Christmas.
But they had a common message: Nigerians must rededicate their lives to the virtues and ideals of Jesus Christ.
In his message, Jonathan said he joined Christians and all other Nigerians today in giving thanks to God because his grace and benevolence had helped the nation to overcome the many challenges it had had since the last Christmas.
He said in the message which was signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, that the annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ was a most auspicious time for all to emulate the ideals the Messiah preached and exemplified during his earthly ministry.
The President said, “Let us all therefore resolve this Christmas to make the ideals of peace, harmony, tolerance, love and goodwill to all even more manifest in our interactions with others.
“It remains my sincere belief that no height of human accomplishment is beyond us as a nation, if we can overcome our differences, such as they are, and forge a binding national consensus to put the progress and well-being of the country above all other considerations.”
The President promised to do all within his powers to ensure that participants at the planned national conference made significant contributions towards national peace, unity and progress.
He expressed the belief that the conference would contribute to the resolution of contentious issues currently hindering the nation’s progress.
Jonathan said, “My administration will do all within its powers and abilities to ensure that when representatives of our people assemble for the forthcoming national conference next year, they will have every opportunity and encouragement to make very significant contributions towards forging the required consensus for sustained national peace, unity and progress.
“It is also my expectation that the national conference will contribute in no small measure towards the urgent resolution of contentious issues which currently hinder our progress as a nation.
“With God Almighty as our guide, strength and enabler, my administration will continue to implement its agenda for national transformation in furtherance of its avowed commitment to improving the living conditions of all Nigerians.
“We will continue to count on the prayers, support and cooperation of all patriotic Nigerians in the coming year as we consolidate and build on our achievements in several sectors including national security, power supply, communications, transportation, health and education.
“As we commemorate the birth of the Prince of Peace, let us all strive to honour Him more by living our lives as He taught; by making personal sacrifices for the good of others, by showing greater love for others, by being fairer and more honest in our dealings with others, by being ever-willing to forgive those who offend us and by always extending goodwill towards others.”
In his message, Mark warned the political class against promoting personal or group ambition over national interest in order to avoid issues that could set the country ablaze.
He specifically called on the political class to lead the path of peace, law and order in the country.
Mark, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Paul Mumeh, noted that politics should ordinarily be a game and not a battle field.
He said, “We have come a long way as a people. We should see ourselves as one people and one nation with a common destiny. We cannot be moving in the reverse order when other nations are going to the moon.
“We have always admitted that the challenges are enormous but we must realise that nobody would come from the space to solve our problems for us. We should therefore be able to find home grown solutions to our challenges in a manner that would comfort and indeed satisfy all sections.
“It is therefore incumbent on all of us to act and behave in a responsible manner that would give trust and confidence to the people.”
The President of the Senate urged religious leaders to fervently pray for the nation and its leaders because the present period called for wise counsel and divine intervention.
He also implored the citizenry to make peace and religious harmony the cornerstone of their relationship with one another.
Also, Tambuwal, enjoined Nigerians to continue to reflect on the positive things that unite the nation to enhance its stability and prosperity as they celebrate this year’s Christmas.
In a goodwill message to Nigerian Christians signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mallam Imam Imam, Tambuwal also called for sustained prayers for peace, unity and stability in the country.
He admonished persons of all faith to be their brother’s keepers and shun all vices and negative acts that could jeopardise the efforts of the three tiers of government in providing democracy dividends to the citizens.
The statement reads in part, “This period calls for sober reflection and continued prayers for our dear nation. We must replicate on the teachings and lessons of Christmas and continue to exhibit good character as well as extend hands of fellowship and build blocks of unity and understanding to all irrespective of our percieved differences.
“On our part, we are committed to providing legislative measures and interventions that will support government’s effort at guaranteeing peace, welfare and security of Nigerians and the greater development of our dear country in line with our legislative agenda.”
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