…As Al-Makura, Ahmed preach peace, love

By Demola  Akinyemi with agency report

Kaduna State governor, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero has urged Christians in the country to use the period of the Christmas season to pray for an end to Boko Haram insurgency in the north east as well as peaceful polls in 2015.

Yero spoke as his counterparts in Nasarawa and Kwara States, Alhaji Umaru Al-Makura and Abdulfatah Ahmed respectively also asked Christians to spread the virtues of peace, love and charity which underscored Christ’s mission on earth, as they celebrated Christmas.

They made these known in their separate Christmas messages to Nigerians yesterday.

Yero asked Christians to use the Christmas period to pray for peaceful conduct of next year’s general elections which, he said was critical to sustaining peace and harmony not only in the state but the country at large.

In his Christmas message signed by the Special Adviser, Media, Mallam Ahmed Maiyaki, the governor further called on the residents of the state, especially Christians to also use the opportunity of the Christmas to reflect on the essence of peace, love and salvation to mankind which were the reasons for the birth of Jesus Christ.

Yero said, “as a holy period when Christians all over the world mark the birth of Jesus Christ, it is imperative to reflect on the basic tenets of Christianity anchored on peace, love and unity of the whole of mankind.

“Let us use the opportunity provided by Christmas to pray for peaceful elections next year. Let us extend hands of fellowship to one another irrespective of difference in religion or ethnic groups.

“Young people should not allow themselves to be used negatively by selfish people. They should also desist from acts that could breach peace, such as indulging in the use of illicit drugs, street fighting, use of fire crackers and other forms of social vices.”

He therefore urged the people of the state to use the period to forge greater unity, peace and love among the diverse people themselves.

Yero further called for prayers for immediate end to the current insurgency in some parts of the country just as he asked adherents of the two main religions including Muslims and Christians to continue to live in harmony.

He however, assured the people of adequate security to ensure a hitch free Yuletide.

Also, Governor Al-Makura of Nasarawa State called on Christians to use the opportunity to pray fervently for an end to the numerous challenges confronting the nation.

The statement was signed by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Yakubu Lamai.

He said there was no better time to preach and internalise Jesus Christ’s mission on earth than now, owing to increasing intolerance in the country.

He urged the faithful to continue to co-habit peacefully with non-Christians, to engender sustainable peace needed for the growth and development of the nation.

Al-makura urged political leaders to remain committed to the promotion of citizens’ welfare under their watch, irrespective of ethnic, religious or political affiliations.

The governor wished Christians a joyful celebration and prayed for the warmth of God’s love to fill every home during the festive season.

He described the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ as the climax of God’s love for mankind.

He said also that God used the birth of Christ to ensure the salvation of man from sin and rescue of man from eternal perdition.

Al-makura urged the people of the state to emulate God’s love by showing love to fellow citizens regardless of their religious belief.

He advised the people, especially Christians, to spend the Christmas season in sober reflection and self examination of their relationship with their Creator.

While urging Christians to learn the lesson of humility as demonstrated in the birth of Jesus, Gov. Al-Makura noted that the birth of Jesus in a manger demonstrated uncommon humility.

He admonished them to use the season to share love and lend a helping hand to others, most especially the less privileged.

The governor urged Christians to use the period to pray for a peaceful and successful conduct of the forthcoming general elections in the country.

He reiterated the readiness of his administration to continue to ensure peaceful coexistence of adherents of all religions in the state offer them atmosphere conducive to practise their faiths.

In his own message, the Kwara State governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed also advised Christians to use the period of the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ to preach national unity, love and understanding as ways of healing the pains and anguish in the land.

Ahmed, in his message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, said that Nigerians must always projected the virtues of humility, self denial and brotherliness, which were the hallmarks of the teachings of Christianity and other religion.