National Tree Lighting Ceremony: First Lady Urges Nigerians To Show Love To Less Privileged

FROM LEFT: MINISTER OF STATE FOR FCT, OLOYE OLAJUMOKE AKINJIDE; ARCHBISHOP OF ABUJA DIOCESE, JOHN CARDINAL ONAIYEKAN AND FIRST LADY, DAME PATIENCE JONATHAN, AT THE NATIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY IN ABUJA ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT
FROM LEFT: MINISTER OF STATE FOR FCT, OLOYE OLAJUMOKE AKINJIDE; ARCHBISHOP OF ABUJA DIOCESE, JOHN CARDINAL ONAIYEKAN AND FIRST LADY, DAME PATIENCE JONATHAN, AT THE NATIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY IN ABUJA ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT

The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, on Wednesday called on Nigerians to share love and affection with the less privileged as the nation prepared to celebrate Christmas.

Jonathan, who made the call at the 2013 National Tree Lighting Ceremony in Abuja, said that Christmas was a time to celebrate and show love to one another.

She said that Nigerian women in particular, had been the source of her joy and victory and they should not be neglected during the festive period.

Earlier, Ms Olajumoke Akinjide, FCT Minister of State, said that the National Christmas Tree had been recognised globally as both a religious and tourism event.

Akinjide said the event that served dual purpose, was designed to acknowledge the blessings of God “in our lives as a nation” and promote tourism by adding splendour to the FCT.

She said history was made in 2012 when Jonathan performed the act of lighting the first national Christmas tree.

“The event was received with delight in the FCT and all over Nigeria, and the tree readily became a cynosure of all eyes.

“Most importantly, it is my fervent desire that the institutionalisation of this event will stand as a rallying symbol for peace and unity in our country, and a reminder of oneness as a people,” she said.

In his remarks, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, the Archbishop of Abuja, said that the country was being confronted with different conflicts, but Nigerians should embrace peace, love and oneness.

Onaiyekan urged Nigerians to be self-satisfied and do away with greed.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the first lady lighted the 2013 edition of the tree at the Unity Fountain Park, Abuja in the presence of dignitaries including members of the National Assembly and clergymen. (NAN)