Date Published: 12/24/09

Mimiko salutes Nigerians on Christmas celebrations…calls for prayers for Yar’Adua

Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko has felicitated with Nigerians on the occasion of this year’s Christmas celebration with an admonition for them to emulate the humility of Jesus Christ, the son of the Most High God, who chose to be born in a manger.

Mimiko, in his message to Nigerians contained in a Press Statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Kolawole Olabisi, specifically noted that this year’s celebrations calls for sober reflection, restraint and fervent prayers for our nation. He also called for prayers for the quick recovery of the President, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

His words: “As we celebrate this Christmas, let us do so with moderation, we must at all time remember the whole essence of the birth of Jesus Christ who, despite the fact that he is the son of God chose to be born in a dirty manger among cattle! It is this classical case of humility and self denial which hallmarked the entire life of Christ that we should emulate today and always as we celebrate.

“We should also pray for our nation, Nigeria, which has gone through a lot of stress; we should pray for our leaders, especially our dear Mr. President, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua at this period that he is sick. The President needs our fervent prayers so that he can come back to office and continue his good works. For us in Ondo State, we are
beneficiary of his Rule of Law and we can only pray for him for quick recovery so that he could continue to pilot the ship of the nation to a safe berth. I want to enjoin you not be carried away with the merriment of this festive period; I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy new year in advance,” Mimiko stated.

Mimiko also enjoined the people of Ondo State to continue to pray for his government assuring them that the spate of developmental projects which his 10-months old administration had embarked on would be speeded up so that the dividends of democracy would go round soonest.

His words: “The Ondo state of your dream, which you all fought for during those bitter 22 months when we fought for the retrieval of our stolen mandate and refused to be cowed despite intimidation, death threats and brutalization is being put in place as the sun has started shinning on Ondo State again. Let us persevere for a little while more and we shall all sing Hosanna. I salute your courage in the face of persecutions, your resilience and your steadfastness and your patient with us while we try to put our State on a sure footings despite attempts to thwart our good intention; God be with you all and Merry Christmas. Next year will be our year of bountiful harvests.”