*Says reforms impose sacrifices on people
*Declares he’ll continue to alleviate citizens’ suffering through palliatives
*Govs, others greet, admonish Nigerians at yuletide
Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha, Michael Olugbode, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja, Hammed Shittu in Ilorin, Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo, Laleye Dipo in Minna, and Segun Tomori in Lagos
President Bola Tinubu has pledged his readiness to govern Nigeria with vision, dedication and empathy.
In his first Christmas message to Nigerians as president, Tinubu in a statement personally signed, also said he was aware of the sacrifices being imposed on the people through the reforms being carried out by his government since May 29, 2023.
He, however, gave assurances that his administration would continue to implement palliative measures to alleviate the suffering of the citizenry.
This was as prominent Nigerians from different walks of life, including governors and federal lawmakers, have also greeted Nigerians at yuletide and as well admonished them on the need to foster unity.
Tinubu in the Christmas message stated: “Fellow Nigerians, Christmas is a special time of the year for all of us. For Christians, this time of the year marks the birth of Jesus Christ and celebrates the hope and redemption that are the hallmarks of Christ’s life.
“For people of all faiths, this is an opportunity to enjoy the company of family, celebrate life, and delight in the gifts of love and friendship that make life worthwhile.
“This is also a time to look out for each other because, amidst the festivities, this time of year, for many, will be tinged with sadness: some mourning the loss of loved ones and others grieving the hopes that failed to materialise and the dreams that fell short.
“In the spirit of Christmas, reflecting the best of Christ, let us all endeavour to extend the warm embrace of kindness to those around us who need it and let the multiple acts of kindness serve as a light that guides us into a happy and wonderful new year.
“This year has been a time of transformation and relentless change in our country. And I am aware that the necessary reforms we are implementing to achieve a more prosperous, peaceful nation for all have imposed unique sacrifices.
“My administration will continue to implement palliative measures to ease the burden on the most vulnerable, address current hardships and alleviate the suffering of all our nation’s people.
“Fellow Nigerians, as we navigate this transition to stability, prosperity, and Renewed Hope, I urge you once more to hold fast and rest assured of my commitment to govern with vision, dedication, and empathy.
“Be confident that by the strength of our joint endeavour, we will shortly emerge into a new dawn of prosperity, peace, and irreversible progress.
“As you celebrate this season, please, spare a moment of remembrance and prayer for the men and women of our nation’s armed forces, bearing arms in our names and ensuring our safety. My God protect them and bring them back to their families.
“And let us together commemorate the memory of those who, in their service, have paid the highest price for our nation. May God bless their souls and comfort their families and loved ones.
“Let the light of Christmas guide our paths as we bring this year to a close and usher in the new year. I wish you all a merry Christmas.”
Meanwhile, prominent Nigerians, have continued to send in greetings to their compatriots as they gather to celebrate the birth of Christ.
AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq
Kwara State Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq,has urged Christians in the state to act in accordance with the message of truth, love and peace that Christ preached.
A statement issued in Ilorin, the governor said the birth of Christ heralded hope, and that, “On this joyous occasion of the anniversary of the birth of Christ, I wish everyone a happy celebration and the best of the season.”
Kwara PDP
Also, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the state has congratulated Christians and the people of the state on the occasion of Christmas celebration.
In a statement issued by its State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Olusegun Olusola Adewara, the party praised Christians all over the world, particularly those in the state for their dedication and commitment to a peaceful co-existence.
“As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, let us reflect upon His teachings and the profound impact of His messages.
“Jesus Christ’s life exemplifies love, compassion, and selfless service – values that transcend time and inspire us to be better individuals.
“In the spirit of Christmas, we encourage everyone to be steadfast in prayer for a better Kwara and a government that prioritizes shared prosperity for all,” the statement stated.
Peter Obi
Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to use the season of Christmas to appreciate God’s mercy on the country as a people.
In a Christmas message on his X-handle platform, Obi noted that the people were going through immense hardship but should not allow it to stop them from using the season to appreciate God for his numerous blessings.
“My Dear compatriots, I wish you all a Merry Christmas as you join Christendom to celebrate the anniversary of Jesus Christ.
“This season epitomizes love, peace, and joy for all mankind. These are values and longings that unify our common humanity in a feast of love.
“This is why I wish to share the spirit of this season with all our compatriots irrespective of station, circumstance, and persuasion.
“I fully appreciate the difficulties of these times in our dear country. The hardship in the country and the biting effects of bad government policies and poor governance have dampened the hopes of most Nigerians.
“I, therefore enjoin you to use this great feast to offer special supplications to God for our country so that we can have the opportunity of joining others in the global community to give thanks to God for the abundant gifts he lavished on us as a nation.”
Uche Secondus
A former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, has felicitated with Nigerians on this year’s anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ and prayed that the peace, love, and joy of Christmas wouldenergise Nigerians to surmount the economic and security challenges and build a better country
Secondus reviewed the political crises ravaging some states since the inception of this new administration and cautioned the political class to be wary of actions that may constitute a threat to the nascent democracy and national security.
AdemolaAdeleke
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has felicitated Christians in the state and beyond on the occasion of this year’s Christmas celebration, urging them to draw from the spiritual import of the celebration by sharing love and fostering harmony in communities.
Also, the Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Adewale Olumide Egbedun, implored Christians to show love and be compassionate with the less-privileged.
Adeleke, who described Christmas as a moment of reflection on the blessing that the birth of Jesus Christ symbolised for humanity, charged Osun people, especially Christians to embrace the spirit of compassion and kindness that the season reflects.
He called on the people of the state to appreciate the strength and prospects of unity in driving the needed progress for the state, saying we should use the season to renew bonds, lend helping hands and spread love without boundaries.
“I extend my heartfelt wishes to Christian faithful as we mark this year’s Christmas. The birth of Jesus Christ, as we have come to realize, is the most profound message on the power of love and how it can save,” the governor noted in his message.
The speak, who congratulated the Christians, urged them to use the occasion to extend hands of love and humane brotherliness as enshrined in the the doctrine of Christmas.
Peter Mbah
Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has urged Nigerians to live in love, peace, and togetherness in order to advance the country.
He, however, reaffirmed his dedication to creating a new Enugu, stressing that his goals included leading a state, where love, peace, and unity were paramount, in addition to eradicating poverty and growing the state’s economy sevenfold to $30 billion.
Mbah, in his goodwill message reminded the Christian faithful and the nation that the true meaning of Christmas was love – the reason God sent His only begotten Son to be born as man for the redemption of humankind.
“Love is the reason for Christmas, as we celebrate the height of love wherein God sent His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to be born as man for our salvation.
“Thus, as we commemorate His birth, let us likewise imbibe and exemplify the values of love, peace, harmony, selflessness, and being our brother’s keeper, as Christ had shown us by example,” he said.
Douye Diri
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has implored people of the state to foster peace, joy and brotherliness as they celebrate Christmas.
Diri gave the counsel in his Christmas message during the state-organised carol programme christened “Festival of Nine Lessons” at the Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, on Saturday.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying his government would continue to build on the legacies of peace and love that it has been preaching.
“My message to us Bayelsans is that, on behalf of the Prosperity Administration, I urge us to promote peace, joy and brotherliness throughout this Christmas and New Year celebrations.
“Your government of prosperity will continue to spread the message of love, peace, unity, hope and build a brighter future for our dear state that all of us have desired even before its creation,” he said.
Godwin Obaseki
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, has felicitated with the Edo people and Nigerians on the celebration of Christmas.
In a statement, the governor said, “I heartily celebrate with all Edo people, at home and in the Diaspora, as we mark this beautiful season of Christmas.
“The yuletide presents an opportunity to show care and love and reflect on the life and teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“As we celebrate with our friends, relatives and neighbours, we must keep the significance of the season in mind. Let us spread the message of unity, love, sacrifice, tolerance.”
Dapo Abiodun
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has urged Christians and Nigerians not to allow the current economic challenges dampen their spirit, saying there was hope of economic turnaround.
Abiodun, in his Christmas message, also urged Nigerians to imbibe the spirits of love, peace, and goodwill.
In a Statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Lekan Adeniran, he said the current hardship in the country occasioned by double digit inflation would soon give way as governments at the federal and state levels fashioned out ways to ensure economic recovery and improved living conditions for Nigerians.
He praised the perseverance and the never-say-die spirit of Nigerians, and called for more support for the new governments, which were sworn-in on May 29, this year.
“On this joyous occasion of Christmas, I extend my warmest greetings and heartfelt wishes to each and everyone of you. It is a time when we come together to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and reflect on the values of love, peace, and goodwill, he said.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has rejoiced with residents of the state, particularly the Christian faithful as they celebrate this year’s Christmas.
Sanwo-Olu, in his Christmas message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, implored Nigerians to embrace peace, harmony and tolerance in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ.
He also urged Lagos residents not to lose hope due to the challenging times in the state and the country at large, charging them to continue to trust in God and have faith in the good intentions of the current administration.
The governor urged Christians to emulate the life of Jesus Christ by making tolerance, meekness, sacrifice and humility their virtues, in line with the teachings and practice of Jesus Christ during his lifetime.
“As we mark this year’s Christmas, I want to urge Lagos residents, particularly Christian faithful to continue to live in peace and harmony with believers of other faiths. We should emulate virtues of humility, tolerance, perseverance and compassion as exemplified by Jesus Christ, whose birth we are celebrating this season,” he said.
Mohammed Bago, Others
Niger State Governor, Alhaji Mohammed Umaru Bago, has admonished Christians to show genuine love to all at Christmas.
This was as the Senator Representing Niger East Senatorial District, Alhaji Mohammed Sani Musa, challenged the faithful to use the celebration to pray for the sustainance of peace in the senatorial zone
The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, Most Reverend Dr Bulus Yohanna, charged Christians to “wake up from their slumber.”
In his statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, Bago said forgiveness, humility, and genuine love to all were the hallmarks of the Christmas celebration
He, therefore, called on Christians to keep faith with his ‘New Niger State’ Agenda, adding that “deliberate efforts are on towards realising it agenda.”
Musa, in his message appreciated the relative peace that has returned to his senatorial district and the state as a whole as a result of the onslaughts by security operatives on terrorists and bandits that have ravaged the area, attributing the situation to divine intervention.
The CAN Chairman in his message said the call on Christians to wake up from their slumber “is an urgent call to all and sundry because God undertook the incarnation of Jesus as God-man to save us from the bondage of sin.”
Bukola Saraki
Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who yesterday, doled out cash and food items as palliatives to the residents of Kwara State, has said his gesture was to make the celebrations of Christmas and new year joyful to the Christians and well wishers in the state.
A statement in Ilorin by his Press Officer on Local Matters, Mr. Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, the former governor of the state said the residents deserved support in this trying situation in the country so as to bring happiness to various homes during the yuletide.
“To ensure a happy celebration in the face of the biting economic hardship, the former Senate President, has in his usual characteristic doled out cash and food items as palliative to the Christian faithful, party members, artisans, transporters, associations, assemblies, and other religious and community groups in Kwara State.
“The gesture is an annual practice to identify with the people of Kwara during yuletide periods, particularly the Christians to ensure they celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with joy,” he said.
Saraki described the season as a unique one in a calendar year and asked the people to celebrate with love and great hope that the coming year will be better.
Yusuf Tuggar
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has called on Nigerians to renew their dedication to fostering peaceful relations, respecting one another’s differences, and working collectively to address the global challenges that affect the everyone.
In his Christmas message, the minister said: “I am deeply committed to promoting diplomacy and collaboration for the betterment of our shared future.
“This Christmas, let us renew our dedication to fostering peaceful relations, respecting one another’s differences, and working collectively to address the global challenges that affect us all.
“Amidst the season’s jubilant celebrations, I extend my heartfelt Christmas wishes to all. May this time of togetherness and joy usher in a new year filled with hope, prosperity, and unity.”
Tajudeen Abbas, Ben Kalu
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, and his Deputy, Hon. Ben Kalu, have urged Christians’ to emulate the virtues of Jesus Christ, which he said included love, sacrifice, peace making, tolerance, building consensus among the people, and selflessness, among others.
The Speaker, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, noted that Jesus Christ had a humble beginning before becoming a global and generational phenomenon.
He called for prayers and supplication for Nigeria as Christians celebrate this year’s Christmas to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.
“Let us use this occasion to ponder on the issues affecting our daily lives as a nation and how we can best address them, both as leaders and followers, the government and the governed,” he said.
Kalu, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Press Affairs, Udora Orizu, noted that Christmas called for reflection, emulation and dedication to his teachings and ways.
He enjoined Christians and indeed Nigerians in general to pray for the country amidst challenges, and show love and kindness to one another, especially the less privileged.
“On behalf of my family and the good people of Bende Federal Constituency, I wish to congratulate Christians all over the country as we celebrate Christmas, which marks the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ,” he said.
Excitement, Commendations Trail Tinubu’s Transport Subsidy
Nigerians from all walks of life have been thrilled by the Presidential intervention mitigating the high cost of transport this festive season.
Cross-country travelling to see loved ones at the end of the year has been the norm for Nigerians, for decades, irrespective of religious inclinations.
Therefore, the far-reaching effect of discounted inter-state bus fares and free train rides on the citizenry, cannot be overemphasised.
In announcing the federal government’s gesture last Wednesday, the chairman of the Yuletide transport subsidy inter-ministerial committee and Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, had revealed that from 21st December 2023 to 4th January, 2024, Nigerians will enjoy a 50% discount on inter-state bus transport along 22 major routes.
He also said the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) would be offering free train rides within the same period, in what is now widely acclaimed as a novel, pro-masses initiative by any Federal Government in Nigeria’s history.
With a target of lifting 5 million commuters this season, government is partnering major transport companies like God is Good (GIG) motors, Chisco Transport, Young Shall Grow, God Bless Ezenwata and Area Motor.
In view of high demand across the country, the routes have since been scaled up from 22 to 28 while citizens travelling from Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, to other states like Akure and Ilorin via mini buses from the Oshodi bus interchange, are also beneficiaries.
Deborah, at the God is Good Motors (GIGM) Park in Ajah Lagos, captured the mood of passengers across the country.
“I’m travelling from Ajah here in Lagos. I’m going to Benin and I just received my 50% discount palliative from the federal government (displaying her receipt), and I’m so excited. Thank you so much, Mr. President!” she said.
Ebele, travelling from Mararaba, Abuja aboard the GIGM bus to Edo State captured his excitement thus: “It’s a good feeling. I got the refund of 50% of my fares. I had paid N36,800 initially but I got half of that back. This is a real palliative and I’m grateful to President Bola Tinubu.
Another commuter, Lucky, travelling from Mararaba, Abuja to Owerri, Imo State, had this to say: “The original fare was N32,300 but on getting here, they said the President has given us a 50% discount and they refunded it back to me. I just received my own alert. Long live the President, Long live Nigeria!”
Impact stories also abound from train commuters along the Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Kaduna routes.
A twitter user @ayotem4real had tweeted, “Just got two free train tickets (Lagos-Ibadan) for my son and mum. En route to the Babatunde Fashola station. Thank you, Mr. President”.
A passenger aboard the Idu train station in Abuja to Kaduna revealed that, “For those who have validated their names, it’s a smooth ride from the Idu train station in Abuja.”
Another elderly commuter aboard the Idu train station to Kaduna, showered encomiums on the President. “Thank God, the President has offered this free ride to us from Abuja to Kaduna and for others across the country. The President is now trying but some are trying to sabotage the system.”
PDP Unhappy over Kwara’s Exclusion
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State, has expressed concern over the exclusion of the state from the federal government’s intervention to subsidise the cost of transportation by 50% to 28 states during this festive season.
The party, however, described the situation as a bad omen for overall benefits of the people of the state.
A statement by the PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Olusegun Olusola Adewara stated that, “It is regrettable that Kwara state Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and despite his position, Kwara is conspicuously absent from this crucial initiative which would have benefitted hundreds of our people across all states of the federation traveling for Christmas and year festival break.
“As a party, we join the good people of Kwara in questioning the public benefit Kwarans have gained from Governor AbdulRazaq’s chairmanship of the Governors’ Forum, especially when he seemingly cannot effectively negotiate the interests of his people at the federal executive council during decision-making processes by the Federal Government.”
