The All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has urged Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari “so that the country can overcome its current challenges”.
He urged Nigerians to learn from Jesus Christ “who faced and overcame the greatest evil” by uniting to overcome our challenges.
In a Christmas message issued yesterday and signed by Alhaji Tunde Rahman, his Special Adviser on Media, Tinubu said: “Today, Christmas Day, is one of the most precious days of the year for it celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Be you Christian, Muslim or just a human being with a soul that yearns for peace, compassion and hope, Jesus Christ belongs to all of us. His teachings are universal in application and speak of truths eternal.
“This Christmas, let us acknowledge his birth but let us also give that acknowledgement its fullest meaning by recognising how Jesus lived and what he lived for. He reached out to all. Jesus fed the poor and healed the sick. He spread compassion and charity and preached love and justice. There are no finer aims than these and we can do no better than to do all we can to follow his example.
“Let us all embrace and spread the gospel of love, tolerance and forgiveness this season and into the New Year. We must commit ourselves to peace and unity. Let us eschew all bitterness and bigotry.
“The challenges that face the country are difficult ones. But we keep the hope. We must learn from the example of Jesus who faced and overcame the greatest evil. So let us unite to overcome our challenges.
“We must support President Buhari and complement his efforts in his resolve to stimulate the economy and reposition the country. The President needs our support, understanding and prayers. We must fully break the terrorism of Boko Haram and completely put down the last vestiges of the terrorists.
“We must continue to pray for the men in uniform who risk their lives to keep us safe and to end this scourge on the nation. I commend our troops battling the terrorists. I thank them again for their courage and bravery.
“Let us remember those who have been dispossessed of their homes and traumatised by the evil of these terrorists and pray that they all will be able to return home soon and begin their lives anew and better.
“Yet, we must do more than pray. We all have something to give, something to contribute to the greater good. As Jesus gave of himself that we may live better, we must give of ourselves that others around us may have a better life.
“I wish you all a joyous Christmas”.
