Yuletide: Cleric admonishes Nigerians on peace, assistance to poor
NAN-H-10
Xmas
By Awayi Kuje
Akwanga (Nasarawa State), Dec.23, 2016 (NAN) A Christian cleric in Nasarawa State, Rev. Fr. Peter Semenlinso, on Friday admonished Nigerians to ensure peaceful co-existence during the yuletide season and beyond in the interest of national development.
Semenlinso, the Parish Priest in charge of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Akwanga, gave the charge at a meeting with the church officials and other stakeholders to mark this year’s Christmas celebration in Akwanga Local Government Area of the state.
He enjoined Christians and other Nigerians to use the festive period to promote peace, unity and extend hands of friendship to the needy so as to improve on their living standard.
“This marks the end of our year meeting and I want to commend our members for their contribution to the development of the church, the state and Nigeria at large, and I call for its sustenance.
“As we are all aware that Christmas celebration is about drawing closer to God, it is about service to God, it is about forgiveness and it is about showing love to one another.
“I urge Christians and other Nigerians to show love; that is what God expects us to do at all the time so as to promote peaceful co-existence among ourselves irrespective of our background.
“We must also shun negative tendencies at all the time in order to inherit the kingdom of God as well as for peace to reign in our society,’’ he said.
Semenlinso reminded Nigerians that God that created human beings did not make a mistake but created them to show love, unity, peace and to tolerate one another, calling on evils doers to repent.
He said that meaningful development could only be achieved in any society in an atmosphere of love, peace and unity.
Besides, he urged Nigerians to use the yuletide period to pray for continuous peace and unity of the country.
“I also call on all to be more security conscious and vigilant by always reporting any suspected bags, materials, persons near church premises and other places to security agencies for appropriate action to save human lives,’’ he added.
He advised Nigerians not to perpetrate evil acts in order to earn a living but to engage in meaningful ventures, and pray for God’s guidance and provision so as to inherit the kingdom of God.
The priest restated his determination to continue to organise programmes that would foster unity and peace among its members and their neighbours considering the importance of peace to societal development.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the church faithful who spoke at the meeting commended the priest for his effort in promoting peace in the area.
They renewed their commitment to continue to contribute to the growth of the church, the state and Nigeria at large. (NAN)
AKW/FAT/MST
Edited by Fatima Sule/Muhammad Suleiman Tola