As Christians all over the world celebrate Christmas, Delta state Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Peter Onwusanya have respectively called for further entrenchment of sustainable peace as a unifying factor for national growth, especially ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, in his goodwill message to mark the celebration, urged Nigerians to use the occasion of the Christmas Celebration to demonstrate the virtues of peace and love that Jesus Christ personified.
He observed that Christians and all celebrating Christmas were under obligation to eschew all acts of violence that negates the subject and object of the season- Jesus Christ the Lord.
“The birth of Jesus Christ as contained in the Holy Scriptures in John 3:16 was necessitated by the love of God for mankind. Since Christ is the love of God personified, everyone marking and celebrating his birth is duty bound show love to his fellow man,” he said.
According to the governor, “Jesus Christ, in addition is the Prince of Peace. Therefore the period should remind us on the need to live at peace among ourselves.”
Uduaghan stated that his administration, in line with its peace and security agenda, would continue to promote inter-ethnic harmony and peace among various groups in Delta State before and during the 2015 general elections.
In particular, he said that the electioneering and transition period would be managed and made as peaceful as possible.
He pointed out that Jesus Christ preached peace and love as bedrock for a better society, stressing that as followers of Christ, “Christians must emulate the virtue of Christ and work for peace in all that they do.”
According to him, “Nigeria as a nation is in dire need of peace especially this time that insurgency, struggle for power and elections are threatening peace and existence of the country. Christians must use this occasion of celebration of the birth of Christ to pray for peace in our country.”
Onwusanya advised political leaders to consider the interest of the country in all that they do and co-operate with spiritual leaders that are offering fervent prayers for peace the reign.
He expressed confidence that Nigeria will overcome the trials and insecurity that are threatening the polity, stressing that the country must come out triumphantly in 2015.
