At Christmas, Lawan, Mark, Omo-Agege, Southern Senators, Others Canvass Prayer for Nigeria’s Peace, Unity

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan; former Senate President, Senator David Mark; Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege; his predecessor, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; and the Southern Senators Forum have called on Nigerians to pray for peace and unity of the country.

Lawan and other senators in their various 2021 Christmas goodwil messages on Friday, also stressed that what the nation needs presently is fervent prayer for the preservation of unity and integrity of the nation.

The Senate President, in his message, said beyond the great merriment and thanksgiving and joy that have come to be associated with the season, Christmas reminds mankind of the humble birth, simple life, teachings and sacrificial love of Jesus Christ.

According to him, this is the reason why the season is for practical demontration of love and universal goodwill through giving to the needy and sharing with neighbours.

He, therefore, urged Nigerians to engage only in activities that enhance peace and harmony in their immediate environment and beyond, in the true spirit of the season.

In his message, Senator Mark expressed concern over the unabating spate of violent crimes and insecurity across Nigeria and urged security operatives to review strategy towards reversing the situation.

According to him, Nigerians have been exposed to more than enough ridicule on account of the insecurity challenges, saying: “Governments and security agents should do more to restore hope and trust in the land.”

He noted that the present security strategy seems not to be yielding the expected results, addingnthat: “A review of the operational strategy is therefore necessary in order to address the intractable issues.”

Part of the proposed review of strategy, he said, should include a comprehensive research to find out why some people resort to violence and taking up arms against their fellow citizens and a country they once loved.

“There is no need to pretend or shy away anymore. It should be stated categorically that the tragedy that has befallen Nigeria in terms of insecurity is beyond ordinary,” he stressed.

On his part, Senator Omo-Agege charged Christians to imbibe the spirit of love, humility, peace, selfless service and all other positive attributes that the birth of Jesus Christ symbolises for the world.

He called on Nigerians to remain steadfast in their prayers for peace and the unity of the country.

The ranking senator stressed the need for citizens to reflect on the virtues of love, peace and tolerance as exemplified by Jesus Christ in order to build a new Nigeria.

On their part, the Southern Senators have urged Nigerians to embrace peace by all means in order to move the country forward in the face of economic challenges occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic.

The Southern Senators Forum (SSF), in the good will message issued by its Chairman, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, appealed to all Nigerians to embrace peace by all means as there can never be tangible development in an environment where there is rancour.

He prayed for Nigerians to experience peace, harmony and tranquillity in this Yuletide season and beyond.

Ekweremadu, in his goodwill message, urged Nigerians to embrace the values of love, peace, unity and sacrifice espoused by Christmas in order to move the nation forward.

According to him, with the economic and security challenges, all hope was not lost if only citizens would unite in love across political, religious and ethnic divides to work in the collective interest of the nation.

“This season is yet another opportunity to renew and imbibe the values of love, peace, hope, unity and sacrifice that Christmas rekindles in order to build a more egalitarian and prosperous Nigeria.

“This is no doubt a tough Christmas for Nigerians, but the joy of Christ’s birth remains our strength and the challenges facing Nigeria are the more reason we should unite in love across political, religious and ethnic divides to move the nation forward.

“In particular, I urge the Christian faithful to seize the opportunity of the Christmas season to pray for the peace and prosperity of the nation,” he said.