By Joseph Edegbo :
Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has congratulated Nigerian Christians for marking another Christmas, urging them to use the period to reflect on the hope and joy that the birth of Jesus Christ brings to humanity.
Lalong in a message said the occasion provides another opportunity for Nigerians to be inspired eliminate all fears about the issues that stand against the unity and peace of the country which is contrary to the message of hope that the birth of Christ ushered in for mankind.
He said the lifestyle of Jesus Christ clearly indicates that challenges are necessary for the process of development which applies to the various problems that Nigeria is confronting at the moment. This he said should guide Nigerians not to despair but build hope and faith that the country will soon overcome its challenges and achieve stability.
Lalong also said the attributes of love, tolerance, truth, justice and compassion which characterized the lifestyle of Jesus Christ should be embibed by both Christians and non-Christians in their day to day dealings with one another.
While wishing the citizens of Plateau State and Nigeria a blessed Christmas celebration, the Governor asked them to use the event to reach out to people in need and share with people of other faiths in the spirit of the season.
Lalong who is excited about the way people from various parts of the country are trooping into Plateau for the yuletide also wants them to be security conscious and remain vigilant to report any suspicious activity to the security agencies. He also challenged the security agencies to be on top of their game and ensure that Plateau witnesses are crime-free yuletide.
He also advised the public to discountenace some false and alarming reports being circulated in the social media suggesting a bleak Christmas in the State due to insecurity, saying such reports are not only false and alarmist, but also targeted at de-marketing the State by those who take pleasure or thrive when the State is in the news for negative reasons.