By Olayinka Latona
ERSTWHILE Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), Sunday, expressed optimism that despite the  security challenges confronting the nation, she would soon experience a new dawn, just as Governor Babatude Fashola of Lagos State urged Christians to pray for peace in the nation.

Speaking at the annual The Apostolic Faith Christmas Concert, Sunday night, at its Anthony Village Camp Grounds in Lagos, Gowon, who was at the Arewa Consultative Forum peace meeting held in Kaduna recently, also enjoined Nigerians to intensify their prayers for peace to reign in every part of the country.

Fashola, who was represented by the state Permanent Secretary, Culture and Home Affairs, Mrs. Adedoyin Olusoga, also urged Christians to imbibe the spirit of love for one another during and after the Christmas season, arguing that without peace there cannot be unity of purpose or progress in any community or country.

Fashola also charged Christian bodies not to limit the love of Christ to Christmas season, but to love their neighbours according to biblical injunction and teachings of Jesus Christ. He asked them to extend same gesture to the less-privileged in the society.

Fashola said: “As Christians are celebrating and organising various activities to mark the birth of Jesus Christ around the world, I urge you to imbibe the biblical injunction that three things are needed: faith, hope and love, with love being the greatest among them.

“Since love is about Christmas, this love should not be limited to this season alone but extended to others and the poor in the society.”