As Christians commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, a former Governorship Candidate in Abia and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Alex Otti has felicitated with the people of Abia State.
In his special Christmas message captioned “Saved by the Creator to Celebrate the Birth of Christ”, and issued on Friday, Otti expressed gratitude to God for protecting millions of Abians and preserving them throughout the year in spite of the numerous socio-political and economic challenges that confronted the nation and humanity as a whole.
Otti specifically recalled the fear, sorrow and death unleashed by the Coronavirus pandemic which gravely threatened and continues to threaten humanity, and expressed immense appreciation to God for not allowing the pandemic to wreak the kind of havoc that was earlier predicted in Nigeria.
In his words “We have had a 2020 that was full of frightening turbulence, trials and tribulations that challenged the faith of many Christians, but we must remain strong in faith, knowing that God does not abandon his children, hence he saved us to celebrate ”
He reminded Abians of the need not to lose focus on the essence of Christmas “which is to celebrate the birth of the son of God whose exemplary life of love, peace, selflessness and sacrifice has remained unmatched throughout human existence, and enjoined all to avoid any act capable of causing the breach of the peace in Abia in particular, and Nigeria as a whole, but rather emulate the life of Christ.”
Otti used the opportunity to remind Abians of the resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic, and thus called on all who are celebrating the Christmas to apply all COVID-19 protocols in order to stay safe.
The renowned economist wished Abians a joyous Christmas celebration and a fantastic New Year in advance, praying God to graciously protect and preserve all, especially those travelling to their different home towns to celebrate and be alive to witness the abundance God has in store for all in the year 2021.
Also, in her message, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council University of Calabar (Unical) and a two time Representative of Abia Central Senatorial district in the red chamber, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu has congratulated the Christian faithful on the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
According to Nwogu in her message to the Christian faithfuls, “the Year 2020 remains a year of sober reflection, is a year that the whole world was left bewildered and stupified because of the out break of the dreaded Coronavirus Pandemic and subsequent locking down of the global economy, and still we survived it, we made it, we triumph over all these global uncertainties.”
“It is only God Almighty that can do all these things and we are returning all the glory to Him, “she added.
On his part, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa who represented Abia North in the eight Senate, has cautioned Abians against the grave implications of breaching the COVID-19 protocols amid growing concern over the second wave of the pandemic.
The caution was contained in a Christmas message made available to newsmen on Thursday in Umuahia.
Senator Ohuabunwa asked Christians to be thankful to God, at least for surviving the dreaded coronavirus pandemic that claimed so many lives across the globe.
He also tasked Christians on love and reconciliation which he said were the cardinal message of Christmas.
Ohuabunwa called on Abians to use the occasion of Christmas to show love for one another, and to reconcile their differences for peace to reign.
He noted that without love God would not have given his only son to man despite humanity’s sins against him.
The former Speaker ECOWAS Parliament also appealed to Abians to use the occasion to be reconciled to God and to reconcile their differences and grievances against one another.
