Akwa Ibom people have been reminded that Christmas is a time when the love of God and the love of one another should prevail over our hatred, prejudices and bitterness.
Governor Godswill Akpabio who stated this Thursday in a radio and television broadcast message marking Christmas Day celebration noted that “I am not unmindful that this season of love is coming at a time when politics has sowed seeds of bitterness in the hearts of a few of us.
“To those few and to the larger members of this great Akwa Ibom family, I admonish them to remember that Christmas is a time when the love of God and the love of one another should prevail over our hatred, prejudices and bitterness”, he advised.
According to him, “This season, therefore, compels us to follow God’s example by celebrating love, and showing same to our neighbours. Let me remind us that the Christmas heart is a giving heart which thinks of others first. We must resolve not only to show love to one another in this wonderful season, but also to let love guide our every action in the coming year. It is only in this that we shall realize that ancient, wondrous and angelic proclamation of “peace on earth and goodwill towards men”.
The Governor recapped “This month, we broke the Guinness Book of World Records, for the largest number of Carol Singers ever in the world. This momentous feat was achieved when Akwa Ibom people drawn from all the nooks and crannies came together in the spirit of love and brotherhood. I believe that if we imbibe the virtue of love and stand together in brotherhood in the New Year, we would keep setting records and the walls of division, which have been erected by some selfish politicians, would tumble down.
“As the countdown to the end of our transformational journey begins, I urge all of us to look around us and appreciate all the wonders of God in our lives. Let us cherish what God has done so that God will continue to do more for us in the years ahead. Let us fight for the sustenance of what God has done and thereby proof ourselves worthy of His amazing love.
Acknowledging that though God freely gave us salvation, he urges the people work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, saying that “In the same way we must work out the Uncommon Transformation He so freely gave us with the fear of God and not allow the agents of darkness to steal from us what God has done for us”.
He told Akwa Ibom people that the angels proclaimed at Christ’s birth, “Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth and goodwill towards men”, remarking that “This angelic herald sums up our guiding philosophy as a government. We give God glory in the highest for all our achievements. We are completely committed to the peace of our State. We have exhibited great goodwill towards all Akwa Ibom people.
“Let us, therefore, allow the spirit of this season to inspire us to replicate in our daily dealings and in all our activities the gesture of love, goodwill and peace. Let us not strive to put ourselves up and put others down, for he who puts another down will have to stay down with him”, the Governor enjoined.
Akpabio further asked the people not to relent in seeking the face of God and let us hold whosoever holds office as Governor to this charge, pointing out that “God has never denied us the requests of our lips and I am confident that our unceasing prayers shall ensure that we have peaceful, non-violent and credible elections in 2015”.
He reminded the citizens of their civic responsibilities of going out to vote according to their conscience, adding that “This is the weapon in your hands to elect the government and representatives of your choice and protect what God has done. I urge you to honour Christ in your activities, sow seed of love to your neighbours and foster the bond of peace and unity in our State and country”.
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