24th December, 2014
President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday urged Nigerians to deeply reflect and imbibe the ideals and virtues taught by Jesus Christ during his earthly mission.
This was contained in his Christmas message to Christians and non-Christians alike, issued in Abuja.
In the message, he urged them to imbibe the virtues of love, tolerance, godliness, honesty, fairness to others, selflessness, and peaceful co-existence.
The statement noted that inculcating the same virtues in the youths would help the nation to overcome most of its present challenges.
It urged Nigerians to use the period to pray for a greater manifestation of divine peace in the country “and the defeat of all demons of hatred, divisiveness and disunity in our midst.
“As we celebrate Christmas, let us also remember and offer special prayers for all of our countrymen, women and children who have suffered and continue to suffer untold hardship, deprivation and death at the hands of terrorists and insurgents.
“Let us also continue to pray for our gallant soldiers and security agents who remain at the forefront of the national effort to overcome terrorism and violent extremism.
“In this season of goodwill, I urge all patriotic Nigerians to rededicate themselves to doing all within their powers to support the brave men and women of our armed forces in the ongoing war against terrorism.
“I urge them to also support the Federal Government’s efforts to provide more succour to the hapless victims of terrorist atrocities.
“The Victims’ Support Fund which we have established to raise additional funds to assist our compatriots who have been adversely affected by continuing insecurity in parts of our country remains active.
“I call on all individuals and corporate organisations who have not yet done so, to donate more generously to the fund which is being efficaciously deployed to ease the sufferings of victims of terrorist violence in the country.”
The President, in the statement, reassured the nation that his administration would give INEC all necessary supports to deliver credible and acceptable elections in 2015.
It added that security agencies would also be given all necessary support to effectively discharge their constitutional duties for peaceful and violence-free polls.
It also urged the political class to be law-abiding and place the greater interests of the nation above all personal or sectional interests in the countdown to the elections.
“Let us all be more statesman-like, conduct issues-based campaigns, and eschew the promotion of falsehood, division and hatred of others.
“This is important as we seek the votes of our countrymen in what should be a peaceful competition among contending points of view for the progress and development of our dear nation.
“I remain convinced that God Almighty is still with us as a nation even in the midst of our current challenges which we shall surely overcome with greater unity of purpose, dedication, commitment and perseverance.
“Let this year’s celebration of the birth of Christ the Messiah rekindle, strengthen and reaffirm our faith in our national ability to overcome all challenges, with God on our side.”
While felicitating with Christians, the president thanked God “for the divine gift of Jesus Christ the Messiah whose earthly incarnation we commemorate.”