Buhari Calls For Unity, Seeks Love For Displaced Nigerians At Christmas.

President Muhammadu Buhari has called for unity and love amongst
Nigerians, especially for the troubled and displaced people in the
country.

The President in his Christmas message asked Nigerians to put a
smile on the faces of those grieving by showing a little love
thereby building relationships with those outside our ethnic,
religious and socio-political divides.

He made the appeal while reviewing 2018, a year he said was
mixed as there was both progress and “unnecessary deaths”.

“On the pleasant side, our economy has made significant progress
since coming out from recession and our faithful implementation of
the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan,” he said.

On the downside, the President noted, “we have seen so many
unnecessary deaths caused by violent clashes between neighbours,
who ordinarily should complement and support one another”.

He added, “We cannot bring back the lives lost to floods,
unfortunate fire disasters, road accidents, farmers/herders
clashes, and insurgency.

“But we can put back smiles on the faces of the grieving, the
displaced and the troubled, if we show a little love and recommit
ourselves to building relationships with those outside our ethnic,
religious and socio-political divides.”

Beyond advocating love for those grieving and displaced, the
President also with Nigerians on the birth of Jesus Christ.

He said, “I felicitate with all Nigerians, particularly our
Christian brothers and sisters, on the joyous occasion of this
year’s Christmas, which commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ.

“Like I have done in the last three Christmas messages to my
fellow compatriots as a serving President, I believe this season is
another opportunity to reflect on the imagery of the humble,
symbolic and divine birth of a young child thousands of years ago
in Bethlehem, Judea, and the message of hope, compassion,
salvation, reconciliation, forgiveness, and peace that Jesus Christ
embodies and conveys.”

Read the President’s full Christmas message
below:

I felicitate with all Nigerians, particularly our Christian
brothers and sisters, on the joyous occasion of this year’s
Christmas, which commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ.

Like I have done in the last three Christmas messages to my
fellow compatriots as a serving President, I believe this season is
another opportunity to reflect on the imagery of the humble,
symbolic and divine birth of a young child thousands of years ago
in Bethlehem, Judea, and the message of hope, compassion,
salvation, reconciliation, forgiveness and peace that Jesus Christ
embodies and conveys.

In 2018, Nigerians have had mixed blessings, typical of human
beings.

On the pleasant side, our economy has made significant progress
since coming out from recession and our faithful implementation of
the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

Agricultural revolution has seen a vastly improved local
production to the detriment of importation, while we have achieved
surplus in our trade balance. Similarly, infrastructural deficit
has been greatly reduced with significant improvements in roads,
railways, aviation and power.

In addition, we have not relented in the fight against
corruption while the business environment has been improved through
institutional reforms.

On the downside, we have seen so many unnecessary deaths caused
by violent clashes between neighbours, who ordinarily should
complement and support one another.

We cannot bring back the lives lost to floods, unfortunate fire
disasters, road accidents, farmers/herders clashes and
insurgency.

But we can put back smiles on the faces of the grieving, the
displaced and the troubled, if we show a little love and recommit
ourselves to building relationships with those outside our ethnic,
religious and socio-political divides.

As we celebrate Christmas, exchange gifts, pray and visit loved
ones, let us remember many others who cannot be with their families
this time.

Our brave Armed Forces, and other security men and women who
make incredible sacrifices to keep us safe, the aged, the sick,
physically challenged persons, all deserve our goodwill in this
season of love and sharing.

Together we can show generosity to our neighbours and
demonstrate the diversity that makes Nigeria unique – a land with a
beautiful climate and vegetation, beaming with an energetic and
creative youth population.

We must not also forget that what lies ahead of us as a nation
is better than whatever we must have experienced in the past.

With general elections around the corner and heightened
political activities across the country, I have charged our
security and law enforcement agencies to secure the sanctity of the
ballot box and ensure that the outcome of the polls reflects the
will of the Nigerian people.

My avowed commitment to free, fair, credible and violence-free
polls is not a ruse or yet another vain political promise. My word
is my bond.

It is a sworn declaration on the advancement of Nigeria, the
future and safety of our young and unborn generations.

Let us tell the world that, indeed, ‘‘something good’’ can come
out from Nigeria. And it will happen, as we all team up to make it
happen.

Merry Christmas!

Muhammadu Buhari

December 24, 2018

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