As Nigerian Christians join others around the world to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, public officials, politicians and captains of industries across the country have released goodwill messages, preaching peace, love, unity and tolerance.
Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of NUPENG tops the list of leaders in Nigeria who have congratulated Christians on Christmas, 2024 edition. The drivers asked for prayers to overcome the country’s security, political and socio-economic challenges, and also for Divine intervention on the crisis bedeviling the National leadership of the Union since last October, 2023.
In the message signed on Christmas eve by the National Chairman of the Union, Comrade Lucky Osesua, his deputies, Comrade Dayyabu Garga, Comrade (Chief) Peter Moudebelu (ONWA) and the National Secretary, who is also a Pastor, Comrade (Dr) Humble Obinna Power, the Oil and Gas Union said that “faithful adherence to the virtues of Jesus Christ, including love, unity, sacrifice and peaceful coexistence, which constitute the fundamental ingredients for development of any nation, will lead to the growth and stability of Nigeria.”
They also “admonished Christians to use this period as one for sober reflection on the acute challenges facing the nation and to see how they could apply the virtues of Jesus Christ in fashioning out workable measures aimed at pulling Nigeria out of the quagmire she has found herself in at this critical point in time.
“That is why we need to remember the love that Jesus taught. We must love our neighbours as ourselves, do good to them and wish them well, whether or not they belong to our denominations or of the same Faith. Nigeria cannot move forward as a country until each and every one of us realize that what is good for the goose should also be good for the gander.
“We must also continue to respect each other’s right to live freely, associate freely and peacefully. The period of Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, who is the symbol of Christianity and the harbinger of peace, love and good tidings.”
“There is no doubt that the times are difficult and the Nigerian state is facing enormous challenges, but it is our desire, expectation and prayer that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government will enthrone the promised change and work hard towards the goal of true transformation and development,” PTD further said.
In continuation, the union also commiserated with all the families who have lost their loved ones to the unfortunate incidences of stampedes in Ibadan, Oyo, Okija, Anambra and Abuja, the FCT, “May the good Lord give all the families strength to bear their sorrowful loss and may the souls of all the dearly departed find rest,” the union prayed.
PTD also stressed that the National Orientation Agency should collaborate with all state governments and the media to educate stakeholders and the general public on public security practice that involves managing large groups of people to prevent safety risks and keep events running smoothly.
The union equally commended the Federal government for fixing the existing roads in the country and for also putting in efforts to construct new ones, while also advising that more priority should be given to the major highways with adequate security for the drivers.
It also advised Tanker Drivers across the four zones in the country to remain law abiding in the discharge of their legitimate duties: the distribution of Petroleum products for the overall socio-economic good and benefits of Nigeria; while also wishing all members and Nigerians a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous and worthwhile 2025.
