Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has called for sustained love among Nigerian citizens so as to foster peace and unity in the country.
Obasanjo who made the call in a keynote address on the second day of the Plateau State Interdenominational Christmas Carols and Praise Festival on Saturday, emphasized the transformative power of love in fostering peace and unity.
Speaking at the 10 Commandments Altar in Du, Jos South Local Government Area, Chief Obasanjo stressed that love is the foundation for harmonious relationships and the antidote to conflict. He urged attendees to embrace love as a unifying force, saying, “Where there’s love, there won’t be conflict.”
Obasanjo linked many of Nigeria’s challenges to the absence of understanding and compassion, highlighting how love enables individuals to appreciate diversity while focusing on shared values.
“God’s gift of diversity is for identity, but our common humanity is what unites us,” he remarked.
Drawing inspiration from John 3:16, he called on Nigerians to embody God’s love in their actions, promoting peace and understanding in communities across the nation.
The former President commended Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, for initiating the Christmas Carol Festival, which he described as a platform for unity and spiritual reflection.
He lauded the governor’s peacebuilding efforts and called on leaders to prioritize initiatives that bring people together.
Governor Mutfwang, in his address, reaffirmed the festival’s vision of uniting people under a shared purpose of peace and progress.
He urged the people of Plateau to rise above divisions and focus on the collective goal of a prosperous future.
The governor also praised national figures like General Yakubu Gowon and Chief Obasanjo for their enduring contributions to Nigeria’s peace and stability.
Chairman of the Plateau State Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Polycarp Lubo, added a spiritual dimension to the event, citing Isaiah 7:14 to highlight the fulfillment of God’s promise through Christ’s birth.
He called on Christians to live as “lights of the world” and to use singing and worship as expressions of faith and hope.
The festival, organized by the Plateau State Government in collaboration with CAN, continues to bring together Christians from various denominations for worship, prayer, and celebration, strengthening bonds of faith and community.
