The National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria , Hon. Bello Lawal Yandaki, has called on Nigerians to embrace love, hope, and peace in order to move the country forward.
In a Christmas message released by ALGON’s Media Officer, Orji Obiora, Yandaki extended warm greetings to Nigerians across the 774 local government areas, wishing them joy and prosperity during the festive season.
Yandaki emphasized the deep significance of Christmas, not only for Christians but for all Nigerians, highlighting the core values of love, compassion, kindness, and selflessness that the holiday represents. He urged citizens to remember the millions of rural dwellers who continue to face challenges such as poverty, disease, hunger, and insecurity, stressing that their hardships should not be forgotten during the celebrations.
The ALGON president also expressed his condolences to the families affected by recent palliative distribution mishaps in Okija, Ibadan, and Abuja, while appreciating the generosity of the donors. He called on Nigerians to be inspired by the goodwill and emulate the virtues of Jesus Christ, especially during this season of giving.
Yandaki further urged the nation to reflect on the challenges facing the country, particularly at the grassroots level, and to adopt a proactive and inclusive approach to addressing issues like hunger and poverty. He stressed the importance of delivering services efficiently, despite limited resources, and decentralizing the benefits of democracy to positively impact vulnerable communities.
He also reminded Nigerians that while Christmas encourages reliance on God’s help, it also calls for visible and impactful hard work. Yandaki encouraged citizens to renew their commitment to unity, to pray for the less privileged, and to seek divine guidance for those in positions of authority, especially at the rural level.
As the 12th ALGON National President, Yandaki pledged to align his policies with the goal of promoting a sustainable culture of advocacy that prioritizes social security in local governments and addresses the needs of the rural population. He promised to build on the achievements of past leaders within the association, working towards a strong, development-driven local government community that respects individual rights and promotes peace and community development.
In his message to Christians, Yandaki urged them to remain steadfast in their faith, live exemplary lives, and be a source of inspiration to others. He concluded by wishing all Nigerians a joyful Christmas, hoping the season would bring peace, prosperity, and a renewed sense of unity to the nation.
Yandaki said: “I extend warmest greetings and felicitations on behalf of my family and the leadership of ALGON” to Christians and other Nigerians in the 774 , local government areas of the country.
“As we commemorate this joyous occasion, I am reminded of the profound significance of Christmas in the lives of Christians and others.
“This festive season is a poignant reminder of the values that Jesus Christ embodied: love, compassion, kindness, and selflessness. As we celebrate, let us not forget the millions of rural dwellers who face unimaginable hardships, including poverty, disease, hunger, and social insecurity.
“My heart goes out again to the families affected by the recent palliative mishaps in Okija, Ibadan, and Abuja. I offer more emotional and sincerest condolences while appreciating the goodwill of the donors. May their kindness inspire us to emulate the virtues of Jesus Christ especially at this season.
“As we reflect on the challenges confronting our nation with particular reference to those at the grassroots, I urge us to draw lessons from our experiences”, the ALGON boss said.
“The event of Christmas impresses it on us to rely on God’s saving help but with visible and impactful hard work.
“On this auspicious Christmas celebration, I encourage us to rekindle our commitment to the values that unite us as a people. Let us pray fervently for the less privileged, the vulnerable, and those affected by insecurity and economic hardship and those in authority especially at the rural level for God’s directions.
“As the 12th ALGON National President, I pledge to align my policy thrust to promote a sustainable coordinated culture of advocacy aimed at internalising formal social security in LGAs that caters to the needs of the rural populace.
“With my Exco, we will strive to consolidate on the gains recorded in the Association by the past leaders to build a strong, mutually beneficial local government development-driven community that respects the rights of all individuals to participate in economic social-cultural development, enjoy legal rights and privileges for community development, and peace building.
“To our Christian brothers and sisters, I urge you all to remain steadfast in your faith and to continue living exemplary lives and as source of inspiration to our shared diversity.
“May the light of Christmas illuminate our community, ecosystem, landscape, cities, towns, villages, our genuine strength for survival-bringing joy, peace, and prosperity to our people”, Yandaki said.
