President Muhammadu Buhari has called for unity and love amongst Nigerians, especially for the troubled and displaced people in the country.

The President in his Christmas message asked Nigerians to put a smile on the faces of those grieving by showing a little love thereby building relationships with those outside our ethnic, religious and socio-political divides.

He made the appeal while reviewing 2018, a year he said was mixed as there was both progress and “unnecessary deaths”.

“On the pleasant side, our economy has made significant progress since coming out from recession and our faithful implementation of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan,” he said.

On the downside, the President noted, “we have seen so many unnecessary deaths caused by violent clashes between neighbours, who ordinarily should complement and support one another”.

He added, “We cannot bring back the lives lost to floods, unfortunate fire disasters, road accidents, farmers/herders clashes, and insurgency.

“But we can put back smiles on the faces of the grieving, the displaced and the troubled, if we show a little love and recommit ourselves to building relationships with those outside our ethnic, religious and socio-political divides.”

Beyond advocating love for those grieving and displaced, the President also with Nigerians on the birth of Jesus Christ.

He said, “I felicitate with all Nigerians, particularly our Christian brothers and sisters, on the joyous occasion of this year’s Christmas, which commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ.

“Like I have done in the last three Christmas messages to my fellow compatriots as a serving President, I believe this season is another opportunity to reflect on the imagery of the humble, symbolic and divine birth of a young child thousands of years ago in Bethlehem, Judea, and the message of hope, compassion, salvation, reconciliation, forgiveness, and peace that Jesus Christ embodies and conveys.”

•Sourced from a Channels TV report

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