Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi has congratulated Christians in the state and the country as Nigeria prepares to celebrate Christmas with the rest of the world in 2021.
Bello’s Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Muhammed, wrote in his Christmas message that the season symbolized hope for humanity.
As a result, he urged citizens to maintain hope for a better Nigeria.
Christmas, according to Bello, represents hope and love and is thus a season for Nigerians to remember that the country’s difficult period will not last for long.
During the season, the governor also urged citizens to emulate God’s love for mankind and show it to their neighbors.
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Though the season is a good time to spend with family and loved ones sharing joy, Bello believes it should also be a time for sober reflections and prayers for the country’s peace, unity, and togetherness.
He went on to say how happy he was that residents of the state were able to see yet another Christmas season.
Despite numerous challenges faced individually and collectively, the governor stated that God Almighty had never failed to show mankind His boundless mercy and love.
“Due to the administration’s commitments to the security and safety of the citizenry, Kogi State has experienced a high level of peace and tranquillity over the past months, starting from the beginning of the year.”
“Despite setbacks, the government had remained unwavering in its commitment to this cause.”
“In terms of socio-economic growth and infrastructure development, there has been remarkable and notable progress,” he said.
As the year draws to a close, he claims, Christians all over the world celebrate such a significant day with joy and excitement.
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“As the New Year approaches, Nigerians should continue to preach the message of peace and good neighborliness.
“Seasons like this should not pass without people making good deeds for the less fortunate.
“By giving gifts and materials to the less fortunate and being kind to everyone around them because such acts promote love and peaceful coexistence,” Bello explained.
Bello, on the other hand, urged citizens to enjoy their holidays in peace, noting that the state had put in place measures to ensure citizens’ safety before, during, and after the holiday season.
He also warned those with bad intentions to stay away from Kogi State, saying it was not a place for criminality.
