President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Nigerians to celebrate their blessings this season with the trust that a better dawn awaits Nigeria.
In a Christmas message, the President said Nigerians can make the celebration a “spectacular one” by renewing their “pledge and common resolve to work for the unity and prosperity of the country”.
He said until his last day in office, he would continue to provide “political and material support” to sub-national governments, the Armed Forces, institutions, and individuals working wholeheartedly for the peace, unity, stability, and progress of Nigeria.
The President explained that the advances made so far on the economic front, especially in infrastructure, food security, anti-corruption, security, and energy sufficiency would need to be built on.
According to President Buhari, the “joyous season” has coincided with the period of campaigns to usher in a new administration.
He appealed to Nigerians to be “circumspect and vote for those that will maintain the momentum” his administration has created for the “greater good of the country”.
The forthcoming elections “should be another opportunity to show the rest of the world that Nigeria is indeed ready to consolidate her democratic credentials” as has been noted in international circles, the President stressed.
He prayed to God to let “peace and joy that pervade this period” continue well into the new year up to the elections in February and beyond.
He also assured Nigerians that those who violently seek to disrupt the peace of the nation have “lost the battle”, saying that Nigeria is blessed with a wealth of human and material resources.
“I heartily rejoice with our Christian brothers and sisters on the occasion of this year’s Christmas,” he said.
“Many of us look forward to this festive season as a time to travel, share gifts, spend quality time with family and friends, attend special carols and events, and generally relive the good moments of the year. In whatever circumstances we find ourselves, Christmas is a period when we come together to rejoice and set aside our differences”, he told Nigerians.
Describing this year’s celebration as “unique” for himself and his family, the President said he was well aware that it marked his last as an elected President.
Bello Wakili
