The Speaker House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, has called on Christians to use the Christmas period to pray for continuous peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.
The Speaker also urged Christians to pray for the country to overcome the myriad of challenges facing her, especially the issue of insecurity.
While rejoicing with Nigerian Christians for marking this year’s Christmas, Mr. Gbajabiamila called on them to imbibe the teachings of Jesus Christ, whom he described as a role model to all.
The Speaker also noted that Nigerians should also use the period to pray for their leaders for God’s guidance.
He said “Periods like this call for sober reflection, Nigerians must be their brothers’ keepers at all times.
Nigerians, irrespective of where they come from, must work towards achieving the dreams of our founding fathers, who made a lot of sacrifices for us to be one”.
Mr. Gbajabiamila said the year 2020 came with the Covid-19 challenge but that with prayers and observance of the established protocols, “the country shall overcome it in the end”.
Deputy Speaker calls for prayers for Nigeria
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Idris Wase, has also congratulated Nigerian Christians as they celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ.
In a congratulatory message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Umar Muhammad Puma, the Deputy Speaker urged Christians to use the occasion of Christmas to reflect on the teachings of Christ, which entails love for neighbour, peaceful coexistence and loyalty to constituted authority.
He advised all Christians to continue to pray for the growth and development of the nation in spite of the current challenges it is going through.
“On behalf of my family, my constituents and indeed the House of Representatives, I wish to sincerely congratulate all our Christian brothers and sisters on the celebration of the feast of Christmas, which marks the birth of Jesus Christ.
As you celebrate, continue to pray for the nation and reflect on the life of Jesus Christ, his humility, sacrifice, love for neighbour and loyalty to God and constituted authority.
As you celebrate this great occasion, may our nation Nigeria experience peace in all its ramifications and may we overcome our security challenges”, Wase said.
The Deputy Speaker enjoined Nigerians particularly Christians to use the opportunity offered by Christmas to pray for the end of Covid-19 global pandemic and to respect the restriction on congregational worship and take responsibility for their safety against the virus.
Reps minority caucus urges unity and selflessness
The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives has equally urged Nigerians to use the occasion of this year’s Christmas to re-awaken their collective sense of unity, love, selflessness and tolerance with one another.
The lawmakers in a statement signed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr. Ndudi Elumelu, also urged Nigerians to use the yuletide period to intensify prayers for divine intervention, especially as the nation battles the challenges of worsening insecurity and dwindling economy.
“Though this year’s celebration is low key due to the prevailing economic and security situation in the country, we must not resign to despondency, but keep our hope aglow as reinforced by the birth of the saviour, Jesus Christ.
Christmas is a reassurance of our salvation as well as the triumph of light over darkness, joy over misery and a sure guarantee of God’s generosity, unending love and intervention to the challenges confronting mankind at all times.
We must therefore leverage on God’s love and use the Christmas and yuletide period to eschew all divisive tendencies, end all individual and sectional acrimonies; show love, encourage and share with one another, especially those who are hurting from the brunt of insecurity, economic and health challenges at this trying time.
Our caucus once again entreats those behind the perennial violence, mindless killings, kidnapping and banditry to retrace their steps so that our country can return to the same united, peaceful and prosperous nation of happy and hardworking people that we are all proud of”, Elumelu said.
The Minority Caucus however urged Nigerians not to drop their guards during the festive period but continue to be security conscious as well as adhere to all Covid-19 protocols so as to be safe and check the spread of the Coronavirus.
The minority leader also assured Nigerians of the unrelenting dedication of the caucus in protecting their interests particularly in intensifying oversight activities on projects and policies that have direct bearing to the wellbeing of the people.
Nneka Ukachukwu
