Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State on Sunday called on Christians in the state to renew their hope in God as they celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Fayose made the call in his Christmas message to the people which was made available in Ado-Ekiti.
He said the birth of Christ gave man the hope of having reliance on God restored.
Fayose, therefore, urged Christians to be thankful and appreciate God’s goodness for giving them another opportunity to celebrate Christmas.
“The only one and true hope is in God; this festive period symbolises God’s unfailing love and grace toward mankind and we must renew our hope in Him.
“While we mark the Christmas period soberly and with deep reflection on the state of our country, we must bear in mind that with God, hope is not lost,” Fayose said.
Fayose also urged the people of the state to be security conscious.
Also, the Anglican Bishop of Wusasa Diocese, Rt. Rev. Ali Buba-Lamido on Sunday advised Nigerian leaders and followers to strive hard toward ensuring national cohesion.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Bishop advised his Christmas and New Year message.
He said: “The unity of Nigeria is paramount, this is because national unity is over and above any individual, hence the need for leaders at all levels to strive hard to unite Nigerians.
“My sincere appeal to political leaders from the President, Governors, Legislators, Local Government Chairmen to councilors is, that they should be merciful to the led.
“We must try to live together, leaders must carry all manner of people together, our political leaders should try to unite us and this will move Nigeria forward.
“We have a duty to God and we have a duty to Nigeria.”
On Christmas, Buba-Lamido said it was a day of peace with God and humanity.
He therefore urged all Nigerians to be peaceful, and imbibe peace in their minds, homes, families, places of worship, and peace in the entire country.
“By so doing, we are going to glorify God, we are going to worship God through our efforts of bringing peace in this country.
“Christmas is a day of sober reflection, Christians should go back to prayer to God, go back to the true message of Christmas, that is to truly recognise the one we are celebrating, Jesus Christ.
“We have to worship him in truth and spirit and follow Jesus day-by-day, when we do this, we will be victorious both here on earth and in heaven,” the cleric said.
He frowned at the `divide and rule” attitude of some leaders, stressing that a leader must serve all irrespective of any affiliation.
“Once you are elected, you belong to all, you belong to those who elected you and those who did not elect you.
“There is no need to divide the people for selfish reasons. Remember, the country belongs to all of us,” he stressed.
