Abuja – The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, on Saturday  urged Nigerians to cultivate the habit of showing love to one another.

Jonathan  made the plea  at a three-day transformation and praise programme organised by the Celebration Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of  God (RCCG)  in Abuja.

The president’s wife  said  the act of loving one another  would promote peace, progress and harmony in the country.

“I urge you to love your neighbour as yourself; don’t love your sister or brother because you are of the same parents.  Don’t plan evil against  your fellow man because if no-one sees you,  God sees you.

“Love your country, be committed to your country, and be proud of your country.  I believe our country is better than anywhere else in the world and if we show love,  there will be  peace, progress and harmony among us.

“This House of  God is a place of refuge,  so when you err, seek repentance. God is present here, it’s a place of  forgiveness and when you repent,  God will forgive you because without God we can do nothing,’’ she said.

The First Lady, who expressed gratitude to the electorate  for electing President  Goodluck Jonathan,  urged  Nigerians to unite in order to  move the country forward.

She  unveiled  the model of a complex comprising  a clinic, primary and secondary school as well as a  development centre   to be run by the parish.

Pastor Kalu Ndukwe, who represented the General Overseer of  the  RCCG, Pastor Enoch  Adeboye,  said the programme was part of  the mission and vision of the church to develop programmes that would  assist  the people.

“This transformation programme is part of our social responsibility and community development programme in fulfillment of our mission and vision and we pray we would reach the needy through this,’’ he said.

Speaking on the sidelines of  the event, the pastor-in-charge of the parish, Pastor Chris Okeke, thanked the First Lady for her visit which he said coincided  with the opening of  the parish.

“We moved here from the garage of one of our sisters;  we give God the glory and we thank the First Lady for making out time to witness this programme,’’ he said. (NAN)