TheNewsGuru

Tag: Christmas

  • Mercy Aigbe, Anita Joseph, Obi Cubana, others send Christmas messages to fans

    Mercy Aigbe, Anita Joseph, Obi Cubana, others send Christmas messages to fans

    It’s Christmas day and your favourite entertainers have taken to their social media pages to send messages and good wishes to their fans.

    Popular actress, Mercy Aigbe wrote on her Instagram page: “It’s Christmas guys”

    Sharing a picture of herself, Iyabo Ojo wrote, “In the spirit of Christmas, may all your wishes come through.”

    Businessman and socialite, Obinna Iyeagbu, better known as Obi Cubana wrote:” Hey beautiful people!
    We made these beautiful pictures for you; to let u know we love you, we appreciate you, we wish you the best of the season and always!!!May your life be as sweet and beautiful as these pictures
    Merry Christmas to you from us all!!”.

     

    In the same vein, reality Tv star, Mercy Eke shared a series of Christmas themed pictures with a lovely message:” Merry Christmas”.

    For Anita Joseph and her hubby Mcfish, the couple wished their fans a merry Christmas with a sexy series of Christmas themed pictures.

    Another BBNaija star, Dorathy Bachor wrote:” Merry Christmas from me and mine ? matching socks with @babyboyroxy .Thank you to all my favorite brands that sent a gift. Love y’all forever”.

    For actress, Inidinma Okojie she recounted that she was in the hospital dealing with fibroid this time last year.

    In her words:” Exactly this time last year, I spent Christmas in the hospital… but I was very thankful because I had survived the fibroid surgery I was so terrified to have. And you @abasieneobong , even though we were broken up at the time, you flew back to Nigeria once you heard I was having surgery to take care of me ?. That was a defining moment in our relationship!!!.
    And now we get to have our first Christmas together as a couple. I love you so much and I’m so thankful for you… I look forward to a life time of Christmas’s with you???
    Merry Christmas Everyone, we are sending you all so much love… stay safe, stay blessed”.

     

  • Omo-Agege, Atiku, others felicitate with Christians at Christmas

    Omo-Agege, Atiku, others felicitate with Christians at Christmas

    Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has charged Christians to imbibe the spirit of love, humility, peace, selfless service and all other positive attributes that the birth of Jesus Christ symbolises for the world.

    In his Christmas message, Senator Omo-Agege called on Nigerians to remain steadfast in their prayers for peace and the unity of the country.

    He stressed the need for citizens to reflect on the virtues of love, peace and tolerance as exemplified by Jesus Christ in order to build a new Nigeria.

    “The birth of Christ signifies the love of God for mankind, triumph of good over evil and victory of light over darkness.

    “I urge Christian faithful to use the opportunity of the season to reflect on the reasons for the birth of Christ and keep hope alive.

    “Notwithstanding the difficult circumstances of the birth of Jesus Christ, his life remains today a perfect example of the triumph of hope for mankind,” he stated.

     

    Emulate essence of the season – Atiku tells Nigerians

    As the world celebrates Christmas Day today (December 25) which showcases the birth of Jesus Christ, Nigerians have been urged to embrace peace and unity at this period, and to love one another for the sake of progress and growth in the country.

    This call was made by the former Vice President of Nigeria and Waziri Adamawa, Atiku Abubakar, in a Christmas message released by his Media Office in Abuja.

    It reads: “I felicitate with all Nigerians, particularly the Christian faithful on the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ.

    “Christmas is a time of love, therefore, I call on all Nigerians to emulate the essence of this season and unite for the greater good of our dear country.

    “Christmas is the season of love, joy, generosity and forgiveness and while we celebrate with family and friends, we should also spend time to pray for a more peaceful and prosperous nation as it is important for Nigerians to inject the healing and unifying serum of love for our neighbours into the nation’s consciousness, this Yuletide.

    “As a nation, we can achieve more if we stay united, extend hands of fellowship to one another and be law abiding. We must also rededicate ourselves to the virtues of faith in God, love for one another and make these virtues more evident and practical in our daily living.

    “As we also look ahead to a better 2022, let us not relent in praying to God to restore peace and all-round development and progress in our country Nigeria,” added the Wazirin Adamawa.

    Atiku reminded Nigerians that the revival of the country’s glory is everyone’s responsibility and urged citizens to be intentional in thinking good thoughts and sowing better seeds of harmony and unity in diversity; actions that would make Nigeria greater today and in the future.

    “We cannot move forward as a country until we all realise that we are first Nigerians, before our religious beliefs, ethnic identities, political leanings and cultural affiliations and as such, we must show respect for one another by living in peace.

    “As we celebrate, we should continue to extend hands of love and fellowship to our neighbours and live as one big family, irrespective of our social, political and religious leanings and continue to trust God for a better tomorrow and a greater country,” he said.

  • Many Abuja residents may celebrate Christmas on empty stomachs as costs of food items hit rooftop

    Many Abuja residents may celebrate Christmas on empty stomachs as costs of food items hit rooftop

    …chicken prices range from N10k-N12k in satellite markets
    …prices of local rice remains constant from N22k-N32k
    …low turnout of buyers in markets
    …as residents moan and groan over scarce resources
    By Emman Ovuakporie
    The harsh economic situation and banditry that’s fast ravaging the northern part of Nigeria came to fore as many families in the capital city of Abuja may celebrate this yuletide festivities with empty stomachs.
    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports the harsh economic situation in Nigeria was clearly exhibited in most Abuja satellite towns as most markets were near empty unlike previous years.
    A visit by TNG to Kubwa village market and adjoining markets in Dede, Kaigini, Gwagwa and Gwarimpa showed a turnout of buyers as prices of essential ingredients hit rooftop.
    Prices of children particularly broilers ranged from N10K-N12K and old layers were being sold for between N3k and N3500.
    Some of the traders who spoke to TNG attributed this ugly trend to the harsh economic situation in Nigeria and acts of banditry that has pervaded most northern states.
    One of such traders, Mr Musa Nasir said “we take permission from bandits before we can enter our farmlands and even settle them or “Dem no go allow us enter farm.
    “Even after settlement we still pay for passage to go back home or them fit kill you oh!
    Most traders who spoke under the condition of anonymity gave credence to Musa’s narrative that the activities of bandits and kidnappers are really discouraging farmers from accessing their farms.
    On the other hand, consumers lamented mostly about the cash squeeze in the country which has really affected the purchasing power of buyers.
    A lady in Kubwa market told TNG, “I came here to buy just vegetables so that we can eat without meat but the prices of vegetables has gone up.
    “The pumpkin leaves (ugwu) that we use to buy for 100naira now is 200naira where do we start from.
    “Many people in Abuja are going to celebrate this Christmas on empty stomachs because there’s no money anywhere oh!
    In Gwagwa, Dede, Kaigini and other markets it’s the same lamentation as the markets recorded low turnout of buyers.
    TNG recalls that bandits levy residents in Zamfara communities to enable them live peacefully or face invasions.
    Residents of the communities were given an ultimatum expected to expire next week Monday to pay N37m levy.
    The communities under this unwholesome directive from the bandits camped in Tsafe, include: Bawagauga, Hayin Uda, Ruguza, Dumuyu, Zigau, Mai-Rerai and Gidan Kado.
    These heavy levies imposed by bandits and the cash squeeze could be the reason prices of foodstuff are skyrocketing as most states in the north are in bondage perpetrated by bandits.
  • Don’t allow today’s suffering dampen your spirit, PDP tells Nigerians in Christmas message

    Don’t allow today’s suffering dampen your spirit, PDP tells Nigerians in Christmas message

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on Nigerians to use the occasion of this year’s Christmas to further unite, show love to one another and reinforce their determination for national rebirth in line with the party’s mission to rescue and rebuild the nation from misrule.

    PDP’s call was contained in a statement on Friday by Hon. Debo Ologunagba, the party’s National Publicity Secretary.

    “Indeed, Christmas which marks the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ to redeem humanity presents us with a momentous opportunity to rekindle our hope and work together as one people under God to pull our dear nation out of the quagmire of the rudderless and inhumane APC government.

    “The PDP is deeply worried that in the last six years, Nigerians have been forced to mark Christmas in gloom, pain, anguish, and utter despondency following excruciating economic hardship and worsened insecurity; the result of having an incompetent and insensitive administration in office.

    “The PDP is saddened that while people celebrate in other parts of the world, many Nigerian families could not afford the basic items of celebration or even travel, as they do in the past, to meet and bond with their loved ones due to high costs, worsened insecurity and deplorable state of roads which are now death traps in our country under the APC administration.

    “However, as a resilient people, the PDP urges Nigerians not to allow the suffering they face today to dampen or destroy their inner personalities as happy people and make them lose sight of the message of hope, salvation, and brighter future which Christmas offers.

    “We must therefore rekindle the light of celebration by showing love and care for one another especially the less privileged, the sick, the hurting as well as victims of mindless violence and acts of terrorism that have ravaged various parts of our country especially in the last six years under the watch of the APC government,” the statement partially read.

    The opposition party urged Nigerians not to lose hope but to remain prayerful and optimistic of the return of the prosperous days of the nation under the PDP given that “the current nightmare will have its inevitable end on May 29, 2023”.

  • President Buhari’s 2021 Christmas message

    President Buhari’s 2021 Christmas message

    PRESIDENT BUHARI’S 2021 CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

    I rejoice with Christians in Nigeria as they join fellow believers all over the world to celebrate this season.

    It is a special period that brings peoples of the world together with one purpose; to celebrate togetherness, joy, peace, and above all, to share love with one another through exchange of goodwill and gifts.

    For the second Christmas running, the world will not be able to celebrate as we used to in years past.

    The COVID-19 pandemic, with its attendant debilitating impact, has remained with mankind, mutating and leaving in its wake devastating consequences on the economy, social interaction, and curtailing certain freedoms.

    The silver lining, however, is that humanity has been able to rise up with one voice and purpose, to confront the foisted conditions.

    I want to use this opportunity to appeal to our dear citizens to embrace vaccination, which is the best scientifically known bulwark against the pandemic.

    Recent events have shown that vaccination greatly reduces the effects of the virus on the human body.

    I will also urge those that have taken the two doses to go ahead and take the booster as advised by the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC).

    I commend the efforts of members of the PSC under the headship of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation as they continue to chart a roadmap out of the pandemic and associated issues.

    On security, despite the remarkable successes generally recorded, we still have some challenges.

    Our courageous security forces, bolstered by the necessary support from this administration, daily confront the wicked ones amongst us, who continue to threaten the peace of the land.

    Recently, during the meeting with fellow Heads of State of the ECOWAS, I discussed the need to intensify efforts to jointly confront this menace causing instability in our sub-region.

    I am confident that with the renewed commitment and empowerment of our committed security personnel, all these issues which inflict pain and trauma on us will soon be history.

    Let us utilize the opportunity that this festive period brings to encourage ourselves so that the machinations of the wicked ones in our midst will find no place to thrive.

    Christmas is a season when hope is rekindled. Hope, Peace, Joy, Love are the recurring themes of this time.

    It is in the midst of hardship that the true test of a nation emerges.

    I urge Nigerians to invoke the indomitable spirit in us and see the present order of things as a phase that will also pass, just like other unsavory situations in the nation’s history.

    This government will not abandon the promises made to Nigerians for a better lease of life.

    The diversification of the economy embarked upon is yielding fruits.

    We shall continue to create opportunities for our teeming youths to ventilate their tremendous energy.

    As we felicitate with family, friends, colleagues, associates, let us spare moments to reach out to the less privileged.

    Let us also pray and give words of encouragement to our gallant security personnel fulfilling their oaths to keep us safe.

    I assure my compatriots that this administration remains resolute at ensuring that the standard of living of the average Nigerian is elevated.

    On this note, I wish Nigerians Merry Christmas!

    Muhammadu Buhari

    December 24, 2021

  • Buhari appeals Nigerians to rekindle hope in country at Christmas, embrace vaccination

    Buhari appeals Nigerians to rekindle hope in country at Christmas, embrace vaccination

    President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Nigerians to rekindle hope in the country, urging them to use the Christmas season to show love to one another.

    In his Christmas message on Friday, Buhari said Nigerians should use the season to “encourage ourselves so that the machinations of the wicked ones in our midst will find no place to thrive”.

    “It is in the midst of hardship that the true test of a nation emerges,” he added in the message.

    “I urge Nigerians to invoke the indomitable spirit in us and see the present order of things as a phase that will also pass, just like other unsavory situations in the nation’s history.

    “This government will not abandon the promises made to Nigerians for a better lease of life.”

    While noting that the diversification drive of the government “is yielding fruits,” Buhari restated the resolve to do more.

    “We shall continue to create opportunities for our teeming youths to ventilate their tremendous energy,” he said.

    On the fight against insecurity, Buhari assured that with the renewed commitment of security agencies, Nigerians would soon witness an improvement.

    According to him, his administration has continued to support the security personnel in the discharge of their duties, leading to “remarkable successes”.

    “I am confident that with the renewed commitment and empowerment of our committed security personnel, all these issues which inflict pain and trauma on us will soon be history,” Buhari said as he called for “encouragement to our gallant security personnel fulfilling their oaths to keep us safe”.

    “I want to use this opportunity to appeal to our dear citizens to embrace vaccination, which is the best scientifically known bulwark against the pandemic,” the message further read.

    “Recent events have shown that vaccination greatly reduces the effects of the virus on the human body.”

     

  • BREAKING: FG declares free Christmas train rides for passengers

    BREAKING: FG declares free Christmas train rides for passengers

    The Federal Government has declared free train rides for citizens from December 24, 2021 to January 4, 2022.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the free train rides apply for all routes of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) train services.

    Mr Fidet Okhiria, Managing Director of NRC, who disclosed this on Friday in Abuja, said: “The decision which was made in collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation, is to ease movement of citizens during the yuletide.

    ”This is to help ease the cost of transportation and enable citizens move easily enjoy the festive period.

    ”Passengers are however advised to ensure they obtain their tickets from appropriate quarters at no cost, to enable them gain access and enter the trains.

    ”All passengers are also enjoined to observe and obey COVID-19 rules by wearing of face mask, washing and sanitising of hands”.

    He also reiterated the federal government’s commitment to ensure the safety of passengers and trains during the period.

  • Lessen pains of Nigerians; pay their entitlements when due, CAN charges leaders at Christmas

    Lessen pains of Nigerians; pay their entitlements when due, CAN charges leaders at Christmas

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Thursday asked Nigerian leaders to use their powers to bring relief and joy to Nigerians this Christmas.

    President of CAN, Rev. Dr. Samson ‘Supo Ayokunle, in a statement, urged those in place of authority to lessen the pains of Nigerians by paying more attention to their well-being in the prompt payment of workers’ salaries and pensions to the pensioners.

    He added that all things should be done to reduce the high cost of commodities in the market and let enabling environment be created for employment of the youths who are roaming the streets having no job.

    The CAN president also urged Nigerians to observe COVID-19 health protocols during the Xmas season.

    He encouraged citizens not to let down their guards especially as the country has entered the fourth phase of the pandemic.

    On insecurity, the CAN leader asked Nigerians to be hopeful and trust in the power of God.

    Below is a full statement as released by the Christian body.

    CAN Press Statement
    Christmas: A Season of Hope, Peace and Joy
    I rejoice with all Christians in Nigeria and of course all over the world at this season of Christmas, the season when God became man to live among us in order to redeem us from all our sins and eternal death. My prayer is that nothing would steal from your joy of this season in the name of Jesus Christ. (John 1: 14)
    Let us remember that the devil is a deceiver and what we are passing through presently in Nigeria might not be what would cause us to rejoice! Of course, what we are currently passing through may not give anybody hope of tomorrow humanly speaking unless those in power are more decisive and God intervenes for us. We are experiencing insecurity everywhere, most especially, the kidnapping, wanton killings and destructions of facilities here and there by the criminals in our midst, the insurgency in the northeast, the northwest and the north central of Nigeria, just to mention a few are terrible things of great concern. They do not give us joy at all humanly speaking. However, we need to remember that part of the purposes of the birth of Jesus Christ is to give hope to the hopeless and deliver us from sin and those who hate us. He came to set the captives free.
    The Bible says in 1Peter 1: 3-4 thus:
    “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,”
    Peter’s letter really was to a people who were hopeless, otherwise, he wouldn’t have attached hope in Christ to his message.
    My message to all Nigerians is to remain hopeful in Christ Jesus and rejoice in hope no matter what the situation we are passing through may be. Our Father God can turn all situations around in Christ Jesus because as God, he can do all things. He is our Waymaker and he would make way for us in the name of Jesus.
    I urge you to receive Jesus as the Lord over your life today, share the message of the saving power of Jesus with others who do not know him and show love in a practical way to someone around you. Let us through the love of Christ embrace one another irrespective of religious, ethnic and political differences. Let us be reconciled to God and to one another. Let all the killings, the kidnapping of our fellow brothers and sisters and all other acts of wickedness stop because God is going to judge these acts on the day of judgement.
    At this season of Christmas, I plead with those at the corridor of power to use it to bring relief and joy to the citizens of this country. It is the good you have done now that people would remember tomorrow. Please, let us lessen the pains of Nigerians by paying more attention to their well-being in the prompt payment of workers salaries and pensions to the pensioners. Let all things be done to reduce the high cost of things in the market and let enabling environment be created for employment of our youths who are roaming the streets having no job.
    I plead with all Nigerians not to let off their guards on Covid-19 protocols. The world has entered the fourth phase of the pandemic and it is spreading faster than other phases. Please, wherever you go, especially in public places such as markets and churches, wear your masks and keep all the safety protocols.
    I pray that none of us would die untimely in the mighty name of Jesus.
    Once again, I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a happy and very prosperous New Year 2022 in Jesus’ name.
    Rev. Dr. Samson ‘Supo Ayokunle
    President, Christian Association of Nigeria &
    Co-Chairman, Nigeria Inter Religious Council (NIREC)
    23 December, 2021.

  • Christmas is here again, By Sonnie Ekwowusi

    Christmas is here again, By Sonnie Ekwowusi

    By Sonnie Ekwowusi

    Two days ago I went to the dry cleaner’s shop to submit some clothes for dry-cleaning. No sooner had the first attendant finished attending to me than a teenage girl sauntered into the shop. She was carrying on her head a big load of carefully-wrapped assorted lady’s clothes which obviously she brought for dry cleaning too. “Good morning aunty, my Mum sent me to bring these clothes to you for dry cleaning. She told me to tell you that she wants to collect the clothes before Christmas because she wants to use them for Christmas”, said the innocent-looking girl to the first attendant. “Okay from your Mum?. Wait o, but I thought you people are not Christians? Do you celebrate Christmas?”, queried the first attendant. “Don’t mind them, they do. They all celebrate Christmas. They pretend as if they don’t. But they do. Everybody celebrates Christmas”, retorted the second lady attendant who was in the inner room sorting out some customers’ clothes for dry cleaning.

    I left the dry cleaner’s shop pondering the words of the second attendant, “Everybody celebrates Christmas” . She was right. Christmas is the most celebrated religious feast in the world. The popularity of Christmas grows day by day. Whether or not they accept the Christian theological beliefs which underpin the celebration of Christmas, most people across the world are enraptured by the magnificent allure of Christmas even though externally they may not show it or are forbidden by the State not to show it. For example, in the past, public celebration of Christmas was forbidden in Saudi Arabia. But the public celebration of Christmas in Riyadh at the moment, much to the delight of expats and Saudi citizens, is simply phenomenal. First, unlike in the past, most shops in Riyadh at the moment are fully stocked with the traditional Christmas trees, Christmas ornaments, Christmas cribs, special festoons, rosettes and so forth. Christmas buyers could be seen pouring in and out of the shops purchasing all sorts of Christmas goodies to their heart content. The questions being asked today are: What’s driving this change in Saudi Arabia? Is this a sign of changing times?. Well, time will tell. Remember that women are not allowed to drive cars in Saudi Arabia, something that was unthinkable in the past.

    Unfortunately the essence of Christmas is continuously being whittled down or deconstructed. While some perceive Christmas as a kind of religious interlude for family gatherings; decorations of houses; exchange of gifts; singing of Christmas carols, others see Christmastime as a time to revel in the orgy of self-deification, capricious expenditure and militant consumerism. Instead of seeking joy in the true meaning of Christmas, these people seek joy in drunken orgy and pleasure unmindful of those famous words of St. Augustine: “Lord, you stir man to take pleasure in praising you, because you have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you”. In many parts of the West, Christmas now bears the colouration of a new paganism, new secularism and post-Christen culture: Christmas is understood as a mere holiday. Three weeks ago, an internal communication document of the European Union (EU) was leaked to the public. In the document, the EU had proposed to abolish Christmas by substituting the word Christmas with the so-called inclusive language “holiday season”. The document also proposed that religious names such as “Mary” and “John” and other such names should no longer be used.

    This is not surprising. The EU is anti-God and anti-religion. There are some who live and behave as if God were not going to ask them to render an account someday. Anyway, in response to EU’s attempts at paganization, secularization and satanization of Christmas, Pope Francis has said that the efforts of the EU to abolish God and to abolish Christmas result from a “watered-down” approach to Christianity that has failed throughout history. “The European Union must take on the ideals of the founding fathers, which were ideals of unity, greatness, and be careful of not paving the road for ideological colonization,” Pope Francis said. Faced with a public outcry against its satanic agenda, especially Pope Francis’ backlash against it, the EU has been forced to withdraw the aforesaid document calling it “a work in progress” and promising in a tweet to publish an “updated version” of the document.

    Anyway, EU or no EU, the essence of Christmas is Jesus Christ, the redeemer of mankind. At Christmas, we are invited to relive that deepest mystery which took place more than 2000 years ago when God took flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary and was born in a relatively humble city of David called Bethlehem. At Christmas we are invited to reproduce Christ’s life in our individual lives. Pope Francis urges everyone to make a concrete commitment during this Christmas, no matter how small, to visit the sick, lonely, needy, elderly persons and hearken to the assistance of the poor. He also advised that the spirit of Christmas is best lived in asking others for forgiveness, granting forgiveness, asking for clarifications and paying a debt.

    Considering that Nigeria now is facing the most dangerous existential threat since her independence, President Buhari should be alive to his constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property in the North. At the moment life has lost its meaning in Nigeria. The North continues to totter on the brink of her final collapse. Seethed with anger over the unprecedented monumental slaughtering of human beings in the North, some northern youths last week staged a peaceful protest urging President Buhari perhaps for the umpteenth time that his primary constitutional responsibility is to protect lives and property of the citizenry. When a government has failed to protect lives and property of the citizenry it is an indication that that government has woefully failed.

    All said, no matter what happens under the sun you must not be weary. You must not give in to despair. Everything may seem to be collapsing. Omicron may seem to be taking its highest human toll. Government may be irresponsible. Poverty may be grinding Nigeria to a complete halt. Your means of livelihood may be destroyed. Your bank account may be emptied of money. Your health may be failing you. Your loved one or your sweet heart might have died. But nothing is gained by succumbing to melancholy. It is true that we live in a sad world, and that many men and women of our times have stopped smiling. Take consolation in the good tiding that has been brought to us. Jesus Christ, the Saviour of mankind, is born among us. So be hopeful. Hope is our greatest asset. We cease to live when we cease to hope. We cease to hope when we give in to despair. We give in to despair when we cease to smile. So wipe away the tears from your eyes. Weep no more. Although we live in a sad world, you must regain our laughter and sense of humour. With our laughter we can challenge the sad world to look at us and be hopeful

    *This column intones the Nunc Dimittis today as it proceeds on Christmas vacation to return, God willing, in January 2022. Thanks for your company in this tireless job of clothing the naked public square. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in advance*

  • BREAKING: FG announces public holidays for Christmas celebrations

    BREAKING: FG announces public holidays for Christmas celebrations

    The Federal Government has declared Monday 27th, Tuesday 28th December 2021 and Monday, 3rd January 2022 as public holidays to mark Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day celebrations respectively.

    Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, felicitates with Christians and all Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora on this year’s Christmas and New Year celebrations.

    Ogbeni Aregbesola enjoins Christians to practice the doctrines of Christ, which include but not limited to these – faith, hope and love.

    “We must emulate the life of Jesus Christ in His practice and teachings on Humility, Service, Compassion, Patience, Peace and Righteousness, that His birth signifies.

    This will be the best way to portray Christ and celebrate his birth”, he noted.

    He emphasizes that peace and security are two critical conditions for economic development and prosperity. He urges Christians and Nigerians to make the best use of this festive period to pray for the total eradication of insecurity bedevilling our dear nation.

    Aregbesola strongly charges Nigerians not to be lulled into a false sense of security on COVID-19 pandemic but to note that it is increasingly assuming a very dangerous and harmful dimension with the emergence of a virulent variant, Omicron.

    “This calls for deliberate responsibility and discipline on the part of all”, the Minister stresses.

    The Minister enjoins all to adhere strictly to and observe all the stipulated non-pharmaceutical protocols and guidelines such as wearing of facemasks, frequent washing of hands with soap and water, using of hand sanitizer and avoidance of large groups. Also, he urges quick report to medical authorities of any respiratory illness observed in self and others before, during and after the Yuletide.

    Speaking further, the Minister said this Yuletide calls for spartan discipline in order to prevent the spread of the virus in our community and the nation as a whole. Aregbesola says “Moderately celebrate the festival without large groupings and observe all the protocols stipulated by medical authorities. Take it as a point of personal responsibility to prevent the spread of the virus”.

    The Minister also assures that the Government has put in place effective measures for the security of lives and property and expects Nigerians to support the efforts of security agencies by providing useful information that will assist them in the performance of their duties.

    Aregbesola admonishes all citizens to remain focused and expresses confidence that the year 2022 would be a better year for us all. He wishes all Christians in particular a happy Christmas and all Nigerians a peaceful and prosperous New Year celebration.