Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said the celebration of Christmas brings hope, joy, God’s grace and relief to Nigerians.
He said this on Sunday while speaking with State House reporters after the Christmas Service at Aso Villa Chapel where he delivered the sermon.
He said the celebration was good news because Jesus Christ offered himself for the sins of man.
“From the moment Christ was born, God said he was not going to hold us to account for our sins for as long as we believed in what he did; the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ came to pay in full for all of our sins.
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“So, really why we celebrate is because this is good news; before, we had to pay for our sins; the consequence of sin we have to bear.
“This is because we always continue to sin; but Jesus came to substitute all our unrighteousness and replace it with his own righteousness so long as we believe him.
“So, it is a celebration of joy and a great relief; that is why it is called the good news,” he said.
On his part, the Chaplain of Aso Villa Chapel, Pastor Seyi Malomo, prayed for peace and prosperity for the country.
“And as we go into the New Year, with God on our side, no matter how and whatever may be the negative forecast of people, we know that God who goes ahead of us; will make the crooked place straight.
“He will make the rough edges smooth; he will level the mountains and elevate the valleys and he will give us victory. Peace is for us in Jesus’ name,” he said.
Zulum, Umahi urge prayers for peaceful elections
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has felicitated Christians in Borno State.
In his Christmas message conveyed by his spokesman, Malam Isa Gusau, the governor appealed to Nigerians to individually and in groups offer special prayers to God for the 2023 elections to hold without violence in any part of the country.
Gusau, in a statement, quoted Zulum as saying, “In our shared creed of hospitality for which Borno has been known, I respectfully urge celebrants, especially those with means, to extend compassionate support to relatives, neighbours and friends, with less means to enjoy the festival.
“As we know, in Borno State, we are uniquely bonded by interesting instances of families, in which siblings from same parents, parents themselves and extended relatives are Christians and Muslims with the same blood in their veins.
“This, in addition to being fellow Nigerians, makes us one indivisible family in Borno State for which we must continue to respect each other’s beliefs.”
The governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, in his message urged Christians to continue to seek the face of God for a united Nigeria where love would reign above religious and tribal considerations.
“I urge you also to pray especially for peaceful and hitch-free general elections coming shortly next year. May God continue to bless and prosper you as you celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ,” the governor said.
El-Rufai, Abiodun felicitate Christians
Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai in his message said the timeless values of compassion, love, tolerance and forgiveness exemplified by the birth and life of Jesus Christ endured.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his special adviser on media and communication, Muyiwa Adekeye, the governor urged Nigerians to be hopeful of a better Nigeria.
He called on all communities in the state to do their utmost to uphold peace and harmony and to work with security agencies to maintain law and order.
Also, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, called on Christians to emulate Jesus Christ by demonstrating love and spreading the message of peace as true followers of Christ.
The governor urged them to use the auspicious period to extend the hand of fellowship to the needy and less privileged, so that they can feel loved during the Yuletide.
Abiodun, who observed that Nigerians were going through a challenging period, said hope should not be lost on the possibility of a better Nigeria.
He called on the people to collect their permanent voter cards to be able to participate in the 2023 general polls.
Emmanuel cautions politicians against peddling falsehood
The Akwa Ibom governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has called on the people of the state to sustain peace, love, and unity as Christmas is celebrated and cautioned politicians against peddling falsehood and misinformation.
Speaking on Sunday in Uyo in a Christmas broadcast to the state, Emmanuel urged the political class to conduct themselves with decorum as the elections drew close.
The governor said it was the responsibility of leaders to build and not tear down the structures that had defined the state in its 35 years of existence, adding that Akwa Ibom had progressed to become a destination of choice for Nigerians.
Oyebanji, Obaseki, Soludo urge love, harmony
Ekiti State governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has congratulated residents of the state and Nigerians, especially the Christian faithful, urging them to celebrate in moderation and reach out to the less privileged.
Oyebanji, in a goodwill message, urged Christians to embrace peace, love, harmony and tolerance in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ now and beyond the yuletide season.
“I urge us all to spread love and be our brother’s keeper during this season and beyond, by reaching out to those who struggle to provide for their families.
“Let us put smiles on the faces of the weak and the vulnerable for this is the real essence of Christmas. It is also important that we pray for the peaceful conduct of the 2023 general elections,” Oyebanji said.
His Edo counterpart, Godwin Obaseki, called on Christians to use the period to show care and reflect on the life of Jesus Christ and his teachings on love and sacrifice.
“Christmas presents an auspicious opportunity to show care and reflect on the life of Jesus Christ and his teachings on love and sacrifice,” he said.
Also, Anambra State governor, Charles Soludo, in his Christmas message, expressed gratitude to God Almighty for the gift of life and the grace to celebrate another Christmas.
He called on the people to embrace the timeless message of God’s love, hope and redemption of mankind as the cardinal significance of the occasion.
Obi celebrates with Benue IDPs, donates N3m
In his own message, the presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) for the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, called on Nigerians to remain hopeful, especially “as Nigerians prepare to take back their nation, for good, come 2023.”
In his 2022 Christmas message to Nigerians, Obi explained that the celebration of Christmas birthed hope in the world and urged “Nigerians to hold unto that firm hope for a better and more productive nation.”
He urged Nigerians to see the year 2023 as a very significant one in the history of the nation as it presented them the opportunity to give only competent leaders access to power.
Earlier, Obi on Sunday celebrated Christmas with internally displaced persons (IDP) at the Abagana camp in Benue State where he donated N3 million.
He said, “Nigerians should not be living in camps in their country. So I am appealing to the federal government, whatever it takes, to ensure Nigerians don’t live as refugees in their country.
“I assure you, that the next government, as we progress, we will ensure that this does not continue. Today, we are here just to tell you to remain faithful, remain prayerful, and keep all your hope in God.
“What affects you affects everyone in Nigeria. We cannot say we are doing well when you are here. As long as you remain here, Nigeria is not doing well.”
By Muideen Olaniyi, Baba Martins (Abuja), Mohammed Ibrahim Yaba (Kaduna), Peter Moses (Abeokuta), Iniabasi Umo (Uyo), Raphael Ogbonnaiye (Ado-Ekiti), Usman A. Bello (Benin), Hameed Oyegbade (Osogbo), Titus Eleweke (Awka), Nabob Ogbonna (Abakaliki) & Hope Abah Emmanuel (Makurdi)
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