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Sunday, December 23, 2012

Obasanjo, Atiku, others urge good governance, harmony

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Obasanjo, Atiku, others urge good governance, harmony
Dec 23rd 2012, 21:25

OBJNIGERIANS join the rest of the world to celebrate Christmas tomorrow amid appeals to the nation's leaders to improve the lot of the citizens through good governance and harmonious co-existence.  
For former President Olusegun Obasanjo, as a developing country, what Nigeria needs most is infrastructure and there is the need for the country's leaders at the federal, state and local council levels to make the provision of infrastructure their priority.

Obasanjo spoke in Abeokuta at the 2012 Christmas Carol organised by the Ogun State government at the weekend, noting: "What a developing society needs most is infrastructure, like good roads and basic things of life."

According to the former president, it is godly for any politician to fulfil his or her electioneering promises, saying: "The celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ connotes the fulfilment of a promise made by God to mankind when He gave His son as a way of bringing humanity back to Himself and therefore as politicians, it is godly to fulfil the vows we made to the people.??
"As a president, governor or chairman of a local government, once you are able to construct good roads, provide potable water and other infrastructure, you would have been able to solve 80 per cent of the people's problems."

Obasanjo added: "As a developing country, infrastructure matters most; they are the basis on which other development stands. As a government, if you are constructing roads, do not forget water, we cannot talk of development if there is no electricity also, all of them are important factors of development."

He commended Governor Ibikunle Amosun for the ongoing massive road construction in the state, saying: "I was arrested with what I saw on ground, and I only wish to tell you that you have started well, but you must continue in that spirit so as to end well.
"Governor, you have started well but the beginning is not enough. I pray that you end well so that you will continue to enjoy the support of your people."

In his response, Amosun promised not to relent in his efforts to re-build the state through massive infrastructural transformation. ??
"One of the promises I made while campaigning was to transform the state and I promise to fulfil it as the government is poised to make the state one of the best in the country," the governor said.??
Earlier in his sermon at the event, the President of the Baptist Conference in Ogun State, Rev. Adesegun Jayesinmi, urged Nigerians to show love to one another so as to overcome the security challenges in the country.

"The only way to celebrate Christmas is to show love to ourselves as God has shown it to mankind by giving us Christ," he said.
On their part, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and National Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, urged Nigerians to imbibe the lessons of Christmas and extend hands of fellowship to all, without discrimination.
In their separate Christmas messages both leaders stressed the need for Nigerians to re-dedicate themselves towards making life more meaningful for all, especially for those who are in need. They stressed the need for Nigerians to keep hope alive in the midst of difficulties.
In a statement from his media office in Abuja, Atiku called on Nigerians to keep faith with the promises of God who endowed the country so richly.

"I congratulate my dear compatriots at Christmas and pray for peace in our hearts, peace in our homes and peace in our country. As I wish you all a merry Christmas, I enjoin you to keep the faith in the unfailing hope that God will renew our richly endowed country and restore the good life to us, His people," he added.

Atiku urged the nation's leaders to be more compassionate and to imbibe the lessons of brotherly love in this season of joy with the hope that God would support all the good and sincere efforts in nation building.

In a statement he signed personally, Onu tasked Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the enduring attributes of love of neighbour and country, and peaceful co-existence.
"The joy of Christmas will not be complete without Christians being their brothers' keepers and also embracing the faithful of other religions in the search for a better world. It is an attitude that will help us to restore love for one another and strengthen our pursuit for lasting peace, enduring happiness and sustainable development. We should never forget that we were created in the image of God.  We should therefore never be divided by how we worship Him.

"We implore our compatriots to remain resolute in the conviction that Nigeria must climb the mountain top and take her rightful place in the comity of prosperous democracies of the world.  We must resolve to conquer poverty, defeat illiteracy, reduce joblessness and more importantly, annul those vices that injure our desire for a new and modern Nigeria that all Nigerians will be proud of and other nations will respect.  We must never forget that respect does not come because you desire it but rather because, you deserve it. We must work hard for the unity, peace and prosperity of our dear nation."
Also at the weekend, First Lady, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan, lit the first Nigerian National Christmas Tree, an initiative of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
The Christmas tree, which is 20.9 metres high, is strategically located at the Unity Fountain Park, beside the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja and it was adorned in the national colours of green, white and green.

In a goodwill message, the First Lady urged Nigerians to re-dedicate themselves to the pursuit of peace and exhibit only tendencies that would add to the value and image of the country.
She pledged to continue to advocate better opportunities for Nigerians as well as the realisation of peace in the country.

The Minister of State for FCT, Olajumoke Akinjide, described the historic event as part of the efforts to showcase Nigeria and the FCT to the world as a tourism brand and preferred tourism destination.
"The Christmas time is traditionally recognised and celebrated as a season of peace, goodwill and hope across national boundaries. It also offers us a unique opportunity to reinforce this same message of love, unity, reconciliation and peaceful coexistence.

"It is consequently our anticipation that an annual lighting of the Nigerian National Christmas Tree will play a similar unifying role for our people," Akinjide noted.
Christmas trees displayed publicly and illuminated with electric lights became popular in the early 20th century. By the mid-20th century, it became customary to display strings of electric lights as Christmas decoration detached from the Christmas tree itself, along streets and buildings.
By the late 20th century, the custom had also been adopted in non-western countries, notably in Japan.
Among the dignitaries at the lighting, which took place at dusk was His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan who delivered a brief sermon.

In his Christmas message, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, called on Nigerians to use the occasion to spread brotherly love and   peace in their relations with one another.
According to the deputy speaker, peace and love are virtues, which Nigeria needs especially at this trying period when the country is grappling with security challenges and other crises that have brought despair to families, communities and the nation in general.
He said the period of Christmas commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ heralds peace and salvation for humanity and as such all persons of goodwill must eschew hatred and embrace good neighbourliness at this time and beyond.    

On his part, Bayelsa State governor, Henry Seriake Dickson urged Christians in the nation  to reflect on the significance of the season  and rededicate themselves to the service of humanity and God.
At the Christmas Carol Service organised by the state government in Yenagoa, Dickson underscored the importance of the season, pointing out that the element of salvation associated with the birth of Jesus Christ distinguishes Christianity as a unique religion.

The governor therefore urged adherents of the Christian faith to be proud of their religion, show confidence in the infinite possibilities of God and apply their fundamental beliefs in all they do.
His words: "I have not seen the element of salvation in any other religion. Our Lord came, born of a virgin, laid His life as a sacrifice for our salvation and by His death we are saved. That is the unique Christian message."    
Dickson, who read the third lesson at the carol service, also cautioned his fellow leaders to live circumspectly as, according to him, "there is a period of rendering account either here on earth or in the hereafter."
A member of the National Assembly representing Yewa South/Ipokia Federal Constituency at the House of Representative, Akinlade Abiodun Isiaq, urged Christians in the country to use the festive season as an avenue to extend the hand of fellowship towards the adherents of other faiths so that the country could witness peace and unity.

In a statement yesterday, Akinlade, who is the House Committee Chairman on Science and Technology, noted that the nation would overcome its  challenges through ceaseless prayers, re-dedication, oneness, sincerity of purpose and selflessness.    
To ensure that the Christmas is celebrated in peace, the police have beefed up security.
The Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, assured Nigerians of adequate security during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

A statement issued by Deputy Force Public Relations Officer (DFPRO), Chief Superintendent Frank Mbah, said the police boss tasked Nigerians to imbibe the qualities of Jesus Christ.
"While reminding Christians of the very significance of Christmas – the holy birth of Jesus Christ; the IG enjoins them to emulate and imbibe the worthy virtues, principles and teachings of Christ, by being open-minded to issues of peace, forgiveness and harmonious co-existence, especially, at this auspicious moment in the history of our country. He calls on all Nigerians to appreciate and respect the diversities of the nation, and leverage on same as a source of strength and medium for national development.       

"Meanwhile, to ensure a peaceful and incident-free Christmas celebration the IG has directed all Zonal AIGs and State Command Commissioners of Police to take all necessary measures to ensure the provision of adequate security across the country before, during and after the celebration. CPs are to personally, ensure that key and vulnerable points including: Shopping malls, motor parks, financial houses, places of worship, recreation centres and other public places are adequately and effectively protected, to enable holiday makers, worshippers and the general public to enjoy maximum fulfillment. In a similar vein, Zonal AIGs and CPs have been directed to ensure the provision of 24 hours security around all government installations, strategic facilities and other key targets.

"In addition, Commanders of Police Highway Patrol Teams have been directed to ensure that motorised patrols on our highways targeted at crime and accident prevention, are intensified to ensure a safe, secure and peaceful celebration. Policemen deployed on our highways have also been directed to render necessary assistance to travelers and road users, especially accident victims and those who may suffer vehicular break down. 
"The IG warns officers who will be deployed during the period, to ensure that they comport themselves and act within the confines of the law. They must be firm but polite, civil and professional in the discharge of their assigned roles, giving due regard and respect to the fundamental human rights of citizens at all times," the statement noted.
Besides, the Special Task Force (STF) Operation Safe Haven yesterday released two of its surveillance helicopters to keep watch over Jos and its environs.
A source close to the STF headquarters in Jos said that the surveillance, which started yesterday would continue on a daily basis until after the Christmas and the New Year.
It was further gathered that the action was one of the pro-active measures put in place by the outfit to ward off criminally minded people. The STF has four surveillance aircraft but uses two only in a normal circumstance. It uses the four if there is a breach of the peace.
Residents of Jos lauded the initiative, saying that it is a good security measure taken by the STF to intensify surveillance because of the coming festivities.

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