Christmas: Jonathan urges Nigerians to rededicate themselves to peace, love

By The Rainbow
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Rededicate your lives to the virtues and ideals which Jesus preached and lived, President Goodluck Jonathan has told Nigerians as the world celebrate Christmas on Wednesday (today).

The president said this is the time for people to reflect on human essence and pursue the ideals of peace and love.

Christians in the country would on Wednesday join their counterparts across the world to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem over 2, 000 years ago.

Jonathan's message came via a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati,.

Jonathan  said the celebration of Christmas was a most auspicious time for Nigerians, as individuals and as a nation, to rededicate their lives to the virtues and ideals which Jesus Christ preached and exemplified during his 'earthly ministry.'

He  assured Nigerians of government's readiness to ensure the success of the proposed national conference.

The message reads, 'Let us all therefore resolve this Christmas to make the ideals of peace, harmony, tolerance, love and goodwill to all even more manifest in our interactions with others.

'It remains my sincere belief that no height of human accomplishment is beyond us as a nation, if we can overcome our differences, such as they are, and forge a binding national consensus to put the progress and well-being of the country above all other considerations.

'My administration will do all within its powers and abilities to ensure that when representatives of our people assemble for the forthcoming national conference next year, they will have every opportunity and encouragement to make very significant contributions towards forging the required consensus for sustained national peace, unity and progress.

'It is also my expectation that the national conference will contribute in no small measure towards the urgent resolution of contentious issues which currently hinder our progress as a nation.

'With God Almighty as our Guide, Strength and Enabler, My Administration will continue to implement its Agenda for National Transformation in furtherance of its avowed commitment to improving the living conditions of all Nigerians.

'We will continue to count on the prayers, support and cooperation of all patriotic Nigerians in the coming year as we consolidate and build on our achievements in several sectors including national security, power supply, communications, transportation, health and education.

'As we commemorate the birth of the Prince of Peace, let us all strive to honour Him more by living our lives as He taught; by making personal sacrifices for the good of others, by showing greater love for others, by being fairer and more honest in our dealings with others, by being ever-willing to forgive those who offend us and by always extending goodwill towards others.

'On behalf of myself, my family and the Federal Government, I wish you all very joyful Christmas celebrations, and a peaceful and prosperous 2014,' President Jonathan said.