As Nigerians join the rest of the world to celebrate Christmas, the National Orientation Agency (NOA), on Friday, urged Nigerians to spend the season praying for renewed love, unity and brotherhood amongst citizens.
Director-General, NOA, Dr Garba Abari, who made the call in a Christmas felicitation message to Nigerians, said the coincidence of the Christmas season with the electioneering season in Nigeria necessitated the call.
Abari, in a statement issued by its Assistant Director of Press, Paul Odenyi, said Nigeria has come a long way in its journey of nationhood and must not allow political wrangling to bring discord or threaten the bond of unity it has enjoyed, adding that Christmas provides a great opportunity to relate and celebrate together across political divides.
Abari further urged Nigerians to emulate and display the selflessness and love that Christmas represents by using the celebration to pray for the good of their neighbours as well as the stability and progress of their nation.
He said: “Christmas portrays God’s selfless love for man, displayed through the birth of Jesus Christ as a gift to humanity.
“If we all selflessly love and care for the next person, irrespective of their religious, political and other persuasions, it will translate into a sacrificial love for our country and a genuinely collective effort at national development.”
He, therefore, stressed the need to renew the bond of love, unity and kindred spirit among Nigerians by emulating the virtues of Jesus Christ.
The NOA boss also charged Nigerians to remain law abiding and peaceful during and after the Christmas festivities.
