The Nigerian President in a Christmas message asked all Nigerians to pray for a greater manifestation of divine peace and the vanquishing of all demons of hatred, divisiveness and disunity in our midst.

President Jonathan in the Christmas message on Wednesday said that the Christmas season had remained a time that all Christians and non-Christians alike should reflect more deeply on the virtues and ideals which the Messiah, Jesus Christ, espoused during his earthly mission.

“To my mind, there can be no doubt that the greater internalisation of the virtues of love for our fellowmen, tolerance, Godliness, honesty, fairness to others, selflessness, and peaceful co-existence with others, by all adult Nigerians, and the inculcation of the same in our youth, will definitely help our dear nation to overcome most of its present challenges.

“Peace and love for others, especially, were a constant refrain in the Messiah’s teachings and admonitions to mankind.

“Therefore, as we celebrate his birth, I urge all Nigerians to offer special prayers for a greater manifestation of divine peace in our country and the vanquishing of all demons of hatred, divisiveness and disunity in our midst,” President Jonathan said in the 19-paragraph christmas message.

He further urged all Nigerians to remember and offer special prayers for all women and children who have suffered and continue to suffer untold hardship, deprivation and death at the hands of terrorists and insurgents.

The President further called for prayers for Nigeria’s gallant soldiers and security agents who remained at the forefront of the national effort to overcome terrorism and violent extremism, even as the rest of the nation celebrates Christmas and the coming New Year.

“In this season of goodwill, I urge all patriotic Nigerians to rededicate themselves to doing all within their powers to support the brave men and women of our armed forces in the ongoing …read more