PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI’S 2019 CHRISTMAS MESSAGE TO NIGERIANS
I felicitate with our Christian brothers and sisters in particular, and all Nigerians in general, on the joyous occasion of Christmas of the year 2019.
As Christendom commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, I enjoin all Nigerians to imbibe and demonstrate the essence of the season of love; goodwill among all the ethnic groups in the country; giving and sharing; strengthening the bonds of brotherhood and good neighbourliness; and focusing on all that bind us together as one united country.
I, therefore, urge our compatriots to shun all actions which negate the spirit of the season.
However, celebrating the spirit and virtues of Christmas need not be a one-day affair, but rather, ought to continue into the New Year.
It is in line with the spirit of Christmas that I call on all elements whose actions are opposed to what the season represents, especially, insurgents, terrorists, armed robbers, kidnappers and economic saboteurs, to retrace their steps and join people of goodwill and common humanity.
If they fail to heed this call, they will meet their end as the armed forces, security and law-enforcement agencies are poised now to confront and defeat them.
Our people must make extra efforts to live in peace and harmony with their neighbours, irrespective of differences.
While it is gladdening to note that incidents of violence and conflicts have reduced drastically owing to the several operations embarked on by our security agencies, we must not let our guards down.
As Christmas indicates good tidings of hope and redemption, Nigerians can look forward to a turnaround in the administration’s priority areas of fighting corruption, providing security, economic diversification, job creation and infrastructure upgrade.
Having recently signed the 2020 Appropriation Bill into Law, I reiterate my promise during the presentation of the Budget Proposals before the National Assembly on October 8, 2019 that, “We remain resolutely committed to the actualization of our vision of a bright and prosperous future for all Nigerians.”
The 2020 Budget of Sustainable Growth and Job Creation will be rigorously implemented to further deepen its impact on the generality of our people.
Let me use this occasion to once more thank the leadership and members of the National Assembly for the speedy consideration and passage of the 2020 Budget Proposals.
We are confident that this new era of cordiality and cooperation between the executive and the legislature will fast-track our collective commitment to giving our people better life and governance.
As we celebrate Christmas, let us remember to pray for members of our armed forces and other security agencies who are making so much sacrifice to protect us from people of evil intent. We should also extend love to the families of those whose bread-winners made the ultimate sacrifice while defending their fatherland.
I appeal to motorists to drive with care this festive season, while road safety and security officials should ensure compliance with safety measures to avoid needless accidents and attendant loss of life and property.
I wish you a Merry Christmas, and a more fulfilling New Year 2020.
Muhammadu Buhari
President, Federal Republic of Nigeria
December 24, 2019
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Senate President felicitates with Nigerians @ Christmas, New Year
I heartily felicitate with Nigerians, particularly the Christian faithful, on the Christmas and New Year festivities.
Christians and Nigerians in general must not forget the essence of the season, which is a reminder of the birth of Jesus Christ and the ideals for which he lived.
The birth of Jesus Christ is a great example of humility. He lived and preached peace, love, tolerance and self-sacrifice, and left mankind with the hope of eternal joy. These virtues transcend religion and deserve to be embraced by all Nigerians especially as we go through the challenges of nation-building and development.
In the spirit of the season, we as a people and government must remember the weak and the most vulnerable in our midst and do the best we can to bring them succour and help them to also feel the joy of the season.
I wish you all journey mercies as you move around to share the season with family and loved ones and enjoin all to celebrate with moderation.
The ninth National Assembly, in its legislative agenda, has resolved to work for Nigeria by enacting legislations that serve the generality of Nigerians.
Your representatives in the Assembly, since their inauguration six months ago, have devoted themselves to facilitating good governance and stimulating the economy to raise the standard of living of Nigerians.
Their decisions on critical sectors of the economy, before they adjourned for the Christmas and New year, were essentially to make year 2020 and beyond prosperous for all.
The amendment to the Deep Off-shore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act, the Fiscal Policy laws, Procurement Act and the timely passage of the 2020 Budget, which was promptly assented to by the President, signpost the determination of the Assembly to work for Nigerians.
The modest achievements of the Assembly within the short period were made possible by the bi-partisan approach to national issues by the Federal lawmakers, the collaboration and harmonious relationship with other arms of government.
I assure you that this synergy at the highest level of governance will be sustained in the year 2020 and beyond.
On behalf of my colleagues in the ninth National Assembly, l wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Signed:
Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan Ph.D, CON
President of the Senate
Federal Republic of Nigeria
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Christmas: Gbajabiamila urges prayers for continuous unity, peace among Nigerians
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has urged Nigerians, especially Christian faithful, to offer special prayers for the continuous unity and peaceful coexistence among the citizens.
Gbajabiamila also urged Christians to use the occasion for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ to pray for the country to overcome her challenges, including insecurity in some parts of the country.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker congratulated Nigerian Christians for marking this year’s Christmas.
Gbajabiamila said this is a time for sober reflections, calling on the Christian faithful to imbibe the virtues of Jesus Christ.
He said at a time like this, Nigerians should come together and celebrate with one another as well as pray for their leaders to lead them well for the good of the country.
“I wish to join millions of citizens to congratulate my Christian brothers and sisters for witnessing and marking this year’s Christmas peacefully.
“Christmas is a period of merrymaking, but beyond that, it is also a period for us all as a people to take time and pray for our country. I admonish my Christian brothers and sisters to pray for our continuous survival in peace and unity as a country.
“I also urge them to emulate all that Jesus Christ stood for: his love for humanity, his peace-making nature, his magnanimity, his accommodating mind and everything the Christ was known for.
“Once again, I wish all Nigerian Christians merry Christmas,” the Speaker said.
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CHRISTMAS MESSAGE: FCT MINISTER FELICITATES WITH RESIDENTS
…CALLS FOR PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE
The Honorable Minister, Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has sent warm felicitations to residents of the FCT especially the Christian faithful on the celebration of Christmas.
He urged them to imbibe the virtues of humility, courage, honesty and love for one another which Jesus Christ epitomizes.
While asking that supplications be made to the Almighty for the good health and wisdom of leaders at all levels of government, the Minister espoused residents of the FCT to use the joyous occasion to also pray for peace, security and economic prosperity across the Territory.
Malam Bello thereafter called for peaceful co-existence and harmonious living amongst all those who have made the FCT their home. He reminded them that the FCT is the symbol of Nigeria’s unity and that all residents had a duty to reflect that symbol by eschewing all factors that tend to divide them and instead embrace those that unite.
The FCT Administration, Malam Bello said, always puts the wellbeing of all residents as the focus of its developmental agenda and solicited the cooperation and support of residents for the success of all government programmes.
He expressed the appreciation of the FCT Administration to residents for their understanding and cooperation as the government implements the Safe, Functional and Efficient Traffic Management policy in Abuja. Malam Bello reiterated that efforts were being made to reposition the public transportation system in the Territory to better serve residents as discussions were on going with private public transport operators to provide affordable and efficient transportation services.
The FCT Minister also assured residents that arrangements have been made by the relevant agencies for the provision of adequate security during the Christmas holidays and urged residents to obey all extant rules, especially traffic regulations, as well as observing the ban on the use of fireworks.
Malam Bello concluded his message by once more wishing all FCT residents a very merry Christmas and a prosperous 2020.
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Love One Another And Keep Hope Alive – Atiku Abubakar
Former Vice President of Nigeria and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the 2019 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar congratulates the Christian community in Nigeria on the occasion of this year’s Christmas celebrations. He urges Nigerians to allow Love and Hope be their guiding principle as they mark the festivities.
Atiku Abubakar says that Nigerians, notably the Christian community, should be thankful to God that the Christmas festivities, heralding the birth of Jesus Christ, have come again.
The Waziri Adamawa says Love is the conqueror of all things, including the challenges and tribulations that befell many people during the year and that having come thus far to celebrate Christmas, HOPE should remain the watchword of the faithful that the future would be better.
He says that Christians should celebrate with all their heart and extend their joy to all their neighbours including their fellow countrymen.
He says that going by all that happened in the course of the year, it is only Love, Hope and expectations of a better future that can hold Nigeria and all mankind together.
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CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU
On this Christmas Day, people across Nigeria will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. While celebrating this holy day, all of us, whether Christian or of another faith, must also devote this time to reflect on the lessons of peace, truth, kindness and compassion that described the life and teachings of Jesus. He taught that we came into existence to live for a purpose greater than ourselves. He taught that we are to love one another despite any difference between us. That we must eschew hate
He loved and gave his life to better and save mankind. No matter the faith one may profess, what Jesus taught is universal, for all peoples and for all times. To follow him is to seek the best of our humanity.
This season is an opportunity for all of us to be thankful for God’s blessings in our lives and to ask for His help that the light of progress and good may forever shine upon, and sustain, our precious nation.
As we mark this day, let us do so in a way that comports with the spirit of Jesus. Our economy is growing and distributing prosperity and a good livelihood to many. Yet, among us are also those in want. Our nation is strengthening making communities more secure. Yet, among us are those still weak and put upon. Our nation is reforming in ways that give new opportunities to our people. Yet, among us are still those who have been forgotten and feel left behind.
In the spirit of this day, we must extend ourselves to those who are poor, weak, and feel left behind so that they may not lose hope on this day of eternal hope.
May the ways and teachings of Jesus guide us to make for a better Nigeria. May we celebrate this day by showing love for our brother as well as extending compassion to a needing stranger. In this way, we best honour and respect this day.
Merry Christmas and the best to you all and to Nigeria.
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Christmas: Imbibe Virtues of Jesus Christ, APC Urges Nigerians
The All Progressives Congress (APC) enjoins Christians and all Nigerians to imbibe the many positive lessons of the birth of Jesus Christ to rededicate themselves for the greatness of Nigeria.
The special day is as momentous as it is significant. While we celebrate with our family and loved ones, all Nigerians must fully appreciate the need to redouble our efforts in the quest to ensure the peace, progress, stability and economic prosperity of our great country.
Achieving these noble objectives would only be realised if exemplary virtues such as peaceful disposition, sacrifice and tolerance, which Jesus Christ’s life embodied, are practised in our day to day life.
While the President Muhammadu Buhari APC government truly appreciates all Nigerians for their support and cooperation so far, we call for more support in order to ensure that Nigeria continues on its current trajectory of sustainable economic growth, development and prosperity.
We assure all Nigerians that the Federal Government would not shirk in its onerous duty to keep all Nigerians safe this Christmas and beyond.
Merry Christmas to all Nigerians.
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