Thank You Note from David Awunor (me) to all DvNers (you) | 3 things you should do before 2014 finally ends

Today marks the end of this year, 2014. I want to take time to appreciate you for making this year a great one for me.

One of the major difference between i and other bloggers is; i have an amazing reader - YOU. You read my blog everyday, even when i fail to post regularly you still stick with me. You took time to subscribe to get my blog updates free via E-mail. You tell your friends to read my blog, Wow you are awesome!

Thank you. I'd have loved to mention your name in this post, but then you barely comment on posts. Don't tell me you are shy to share your opinion, C'mon you shouldn't be! Feel free to share your thoughts on news or entertainment updates. It's your thought, your opinion and that's what makes you unique.

In few hours time, we'll welcome the new year. I'm confident and i pray that the year 2015 shall be better than other years we've spent in our lives.

3 things you should do before 1st Jan, 2015.

1. Reflect over the year 2014.

Before the new year arrives, take time to reflect over the year. Look back, from January till this moment what have you done right and what have you done wrong. Where did you hit the nail and where did you miss it. After identifying this, think of how to make better what you did right and learn from what you did wrong.

2. Appreciate those who made 2014 for you.

Call that friend that put a smile on your face this year. Take time to reach out and appreciate those who made your year great. Also take time to personally appreciate God for his protection and provisions.

3. Set a SMART Goal for 2015.

Don't just wander into 2015 without a goal, not just a goal, but a SMART Goal. A SMART goal is a Specific Measurable Attainsble Realistic and Tangible goal.

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Wife narrates how husband raped their daughters and impregnated one

An housewife, based in Benin City, simply identified as Stella, has narrated how her 55-year-old husband, simply identified as Osaro, defiled their 9-year-old daughter on Christmas day.

Osaro, according to his wife, had earlier impregnated their 17-year-old step daughter whom she had in a previous relationship. She disclosed that she had deserted her matrimonial home with her children when he committed the incest-taboo but later decided to return after he claimed to have repented of his sins.

She said: "My husband wanted to sleep with my second daughter. He later succeeded in sleeping with my other daughter. After impregnating the girl, he begged me several times to forgive him.

"He started the church I attended and confessed what he had done. The church members begged me and I accepted him. He has already paid my bride price so I went back.

"After we had settled, my husband started with our daughter again. The little girl told me what she was going through in the hands of her father. I asked my husband, but he denied. He said he had stopped the act since he repented.

"One afternoon, I caught him with our daughter. I went to the church and vowed that I cannot continue with the marriage. I am tired of forgiving him all the time.

"On Christmas Day, he drove me outside at about 8 p.m. He was alone inside with the children. The next day, my daughter told me what he did to her. When I decided to check my daughter's private part, he wanted to beat me, but neighbours intervened."

The victim (names withheld), while narrating how her father defiled her to journalists, asked the police to jail her father who has been arrested by men of the Edo State Police Command.

"I'm the luckiest guy on earth" - Peter Okoye gushes about his wife

Peter Okoye has described himself as the luckiest guy on earth for having Lola Omotayo as his wife... and i agree with him!

"... I am the most luckiest guy on earth with dis woman... Just can't stop loving you @lolaomotayo Someone call the police!!! Lucky me" he gushed about his wife on Instagram.

Only people who love poverty will vote president Jonathan in 2015 - Osinbajo

The vice presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on Tuesday said only those who love poverty and would want to remain perpetually in hunger that would vote for President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

The former Attorney General of Lagos State spoke at a town hall meeting with artisans, tradesmen and farmers, organised by the Lagos State Government in Ikeja.

He said, "No one is ignorant of all that is happening in this country. No one likes hunger and poverty, but people are hungry. In 2015, only those who love to continue to be hungry that would prefer that the government in power at the centre remains there.

"By God's grace, we will remove them from the seat of power. The people there presently cannot do anything because they don't know what to do. They lack the capacity and capability to govern the country."

Photos: Funke Akindele puts hot legs on display

Funke Akindele is undoubtedly one of the hottest yoruba actress.

Justin Bieber actually didn't buy that private jet | its more like a 'borrow pose'

The private jet Justin Bieber posed in and posted on Instagram on Christmas day is actually not his.

Some of us thought it was his cuz the 20-year-old singer captioned the photos: "New jet for Christmas, and she's beautiful".

TMZ has learned that the 22-seater G4 jet which is for sale was not purchased by Justin, it was merely chartered for a Christmas flight from Canada to NYC.

Photos: Peter Okoye's wife back in her 20s

Who says it has to be Thursday before you can share old pictures?

Peter Okoye's wife, Lola is undoubtedly a gorgeous woman. She took to Instagram this afternoon to share this throwback pictures of her when she was in her 20s.

Revealed: President Jonathan pocketed N4.323bn as salary in 3 years

President Goodluck Jonathan in the last three years pocketed N4.323 billion as salary. The president also in the last three years paid N626.422 million as tax to the country.

According to the document from the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, he released to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the president received the said amount in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

The document showed that the president's yearly salary stands at N14,410,290.48.

The document tagged: "To whom it may concern", indicated that the president's source of income was "employment".

The clearance which was stamped and received in the Legal Services Department of INEC on December 18 2014 reads: "This is to certify that Dr. JONATHAN, Ebele Goodluck (Presidency) has paid income tax assessment for the past three years.

Lil Wayne says him, Beyoncé and Kanye West are the last of a dying breed

Lil Wayne has declared that him, Beyoncé and Kanye West are "the last of a dying breed". The rapper in an interview with Nylon magazine talks about his upcoming album, rapping and more.

Read excerpts from the interview below:

On rapping: When I first started doing it, you only did it to be the best - not to have a hot song or popularity or for Instagram or Twitter. I'm one of the last of a dying breed…the ones who are only about the music. You have to want to be unforgettable. The only other people who I can think of like that are Kanye West and Beyoncé.

On his process: I'm just a regular street nig*a that's a little smarter than the rest. I rap whatever comes up in my head. Whatever rhymes with the next word and how I'm feeling. I start rapping and we find something within what I just said and make a song out of it.

On weed: I don't know how it works, but I know that I need weed…extra when I'm creating. It helps in a major way.

For more on his interview pick up the December/January issue of Nylon magazine.

85-year-old man arrested for raping 7-year-old girl

The Edo State police Command has arrested an 85-year-old man, Peter Elaiho, for allegedly defiling a 7-year-old girl at Use, Ogida quarters, in Egor local government area of the state.

According to the victim's mother, Mrs. Ogieva, who claimed to be a
food vendor, the suspect lured her daughter into his apartment after sending her to buy local gin.

She said she had gone to the building owned by the octogenarian, where she usually left her children in care of her sister, to check on her sick son but did not see her daughter.

She said, "I did not see my daughter. I later heard her shouting. I traced the shouting to he landlord's room, a man who is about 85 years old."

"I rushed there and saw the man naked. I gripped the man and both of us fell inside the chair. The man was begging me to settle but my shout attracted people.

"When they checked my daughter's vagina, they saw blood stains and sperm. I went to the police station and the man was arrested."

Mrs. Ogieva who noted that a tear in her daughter's private part had been confirmed in a clinic on the order of the police, said, the suspect also threatened to kill the victim, if she shouted.

She also alleged that she had been offered N1 million by relatives of the suspect for the case to be withdrawn but refused because she wanted justice to be done.

"The family of the man has been begging me to close the case but I refused because the doctor said my child had to be checked and to also ascertain whether the man has any disease.

"The child is too small for a man that is 85. I don't want money. They are promising to give me N1m but I want justice from the government," she said.

It was learnt that the case had since been transferred to the command headquartres for further investigation.

Cameroon air force bombs Boko Haram positions

Cameroon's air force for the first time, on Sunday bombed Boko Haram positions in the far north of the country after the jihadists seized a military camp.

Sunday's air strike which forced the terrorists to flee the camp at Assighasia, was personally ordered by President Paul Biya, Communications Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary said in a statement late Sunday.

"Fighter planes went into action for the first time since the start of the conflict" on Cameroon's side of the border, after several months of deadly raids on troops and civilians by Boko Haram, Bakary added.

A Boko Haram squad assaulted the Assighasia camp on Sunday morning and the "Cameroonian defence forces had to withdraw after trying to defend the position", the government statement said.

The air strike marked "a new escalation in the Cameroonian response … to multiple enemy attacks by the Boko Haram terrorist group", it said.

FG donates food, drugs to Gombe bomb victims

The Federal Government has donated drugs and relief materials to victims of the recent bomb blast at a motor park in Gombe state.

The Minister of Transport, Idris Umar, who is also an indigene of the state, made the presentation of the materials on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan to the Gombe State Government at a Specialists Hospital, where survivors of the Dukku Park blast are undergoing medical treatment.

The minister who led the Federal Government's delegation to the state to commiserate with the government and people of the state said, "President Jonathan is very much touched because of the lives and property that were lost in the blast. The drugs and other equipment are here for the assistance of the victims of the bomb blast. We hereby present same to the Gombe State government through NEMA, to be used in treating those who sustained injuries during the blast.

"We sympathise with the victims and their families. For those who lost their lives, we pray for the repose of their gentle souls."

He however urged the Gombe State Government to ensure judicious use of the drugs and equipment, advising the citizens to always be vigilant to avert such attacks in future.

"I call on the general public to be vigilant at all times and cooperate with the state government and all agencies like NEMA and similar bodies, responsible for giving support during emergencies," he said.

Chelsea midfielder, Mikel Obi is reportedly building a mini estate in Lagos

Chelsea and Super Eagles midfielder, Mikel Obi is reportedly building a mini estate in the Ajah/Badore new development area of Lagos.

According to online reports, the construction of the estate, to be  known as Chelsea Estate, with over 100 housing units of 2/3/4bedroom service apartments, a multipurpose hall and recreational facilities has already begun.

Its a boy.... again! Alicia Keys and husband welcome 2nd child

Alicia Keys and her husband, Swizz Beatz on Saturday, December 27, welcomed their second child, another boy. The baby has been named Genesis Ali Dean.

"The joy of joy is joy!! It's a boy," Keys, 33, and Beatz, 36, shared on Instagram ."We are so grateful!! #blessings!!"

Alicia and Swizz are already parents to 4 year old son Egypt Daoud.

Revealed: What President Jonathan and Babangida discussed during the closed door meeting in Minna

Details of President Goodluck Jonathan's recent visit to former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida at his Hilltop Mansion in Minna, Niger state, have begin to emerge. Contrary to reports that the president went there to get Babangida's endorsement for his re-election bid, it has been revealed that Babangida and Jonathan only discussed how to keep the nation united during and after the general elections.

The details of the meeting between Jonathan and Babangida were revealed in Abuja by one of the key aides of the former military leader who was at his Hilltop mansion when the president visited.

The source said: "It is true that the President visited Gen. Babangida at his Minna Hilltop mansion but the nature of his message was based purely on unity of the country and not about 2015 presidential election.

"As a former president who fought for the unity of the country, he was of the view that the president needs support as President and not as presidential candidate per se.

"It is his view that the country needs to be united as one before we can begin to talk about election. Only a united Nigeria can guarantee credible election."

Source: The Nation

Photos: Genevieve Nnaji gets Chieftancy title in Imo state

Nollywood actress, Genevieve Nnaji has bagged the title "Eze Ada of Amuzu Nweafor" in Mbaise, Imo state.

Photo: Olamide buys himself 2 cars for Christmas

Olamide has acquired for himself 2 luxury cars - a black Range Rover and a Mercedes Benz G-Class.

"My baby is finally home … Black range x white G .. Thanks to God and my fans .. Xmas gift of life .. We done hustle small ds year," he said, showing off his rides.

What a fabulous way to end the year! Congrats to him.

Nigeria will become a better place in 5 years time - President Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan today said if Nigeria continues to progress in the manner it is doing under his administration, the country would become a better place in the next four or five years.

President Jonathan who spoke at the Christ Apostolic Church, Area 1, Durumi, urged Nigerians to continue to uphold his administration in prayers.

He said, "For me and members of my team, in spite of the challenges, we will continue to do our best. As a nation, we have not reached where we want to be, definitely not. But we are coming up with a number of policies.

"Those who are taking pain to look at what we are doing will agree with us that if we progress as a nation steadily in this manner, in the next four or five years, this country will be a better place."

Yvonne Nelson denies being a lesbian

Ghanaian actress, Yvonne Nelson has denied the speculations that she's a lesbian or at best a bi-sexual. The actress who spoke to Vanguard's Ekerete Udoh in New York, said the rumor was aimed at spoiling her name.

"I am not a lesbian. Lesbianism is against my religious beliefs, it's against my cultural norms and I think it was very mischievous for people to insinuate such about someone they hardly knew. The rumor was started by a notorious website in Ghana last year when they reported that they had never seen me with a man. In their warped and twisted calculation, I was thus a lesbian. Can you imagine such crass reasoning?

"That they had not seen me with a man, and may have seen me with my girlfriends going out to have fun, and then automatically I was a lesbian. It was a hatchet job – an attempt to discredit me, but they all failed. I am heterosexual and would remain one till the end. When you are in the public light as I have been blessed and privileged to being, your life becomes a public property and some mischievous people will say all manner of things about you. It comes with the territory, so I forgive them." she said.

Photos: President Jonathan visits Babangida in Minna | Babangida endorses Jonathan for 2015

President Goodluck Jonathan today visited former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida at his Hilltop Mansion in Minna, Niger state.

The purpose of the President's visit is reportedly to seek IBB's endorsement for his re-election in 2015.

Jonathan who had a closed-door meeting with the military dictator, later told journalists that he was in Minna to greet "his father" who recently returned to the country from a medical trip abroad.

On the other hand, Babangida told journalists that all Nigerians must support Jonathan because he means well for the country.

Photos: Oge Okoye and her kids having a fun-filled Christmas celebration

Nollywood actress, Oge Okoye and her kids are definitely having a fun-filled Christmas holiday. The actress who got married in 2005 shared this adorable photos of her and her kids having a "me-time".

Photos: Oge Okoye and her kids having a fun-filled Christmas celebration

Nollywood actress, Oge Okoye and her kids are definitely having a fun-filled Christmas holiday. The actress who got married in 2005 shared this adorable photos of her and her kids having a "me-time".

Afrocandy strips down in new Christmas photos

Merry Christmas to you from Afrocandy.

Prostitute reveals how she cuts off men's private organ during sex for money rituals

A 23 year old prostitute, Uche Agunta has been arrested and is being held custody at the Imo State Police Command for cutting off male organs for money rituals.

The secondary school dropout who has long successfully carried out the task by luring men with sex and at the height of ecstasy will use a blade to cut off their private organ, was apprehended when she tried to cut off a 38-year-old man's manhood.

In an interview with Sun Newspaper, she explained that she had been in the practice of hacking men's genitals for quite some time, adding that she receives N150,000 for every organ she sells.

"I am a prostitute and I smoke. I have a gang and we specialise in sleeping with men and cutting their manhood during sex. We use the manhood for money rituals. I have killed seven men in the hotel in Owerri. They had sex with me after they have paid me N3,000 or N5,000. I would be on top of the man and in the process I would bring out blade and cut off his manhood."

"I do hand over the manhood to our gang leader. They always promise to pay us N150,000 for each manhood we could supply, and which they used for money ritual."

The suspect also revealed that she has given birth to three children, two of whom she has sold for N200,000.

"I dropped out at JSS 3. I stopped going to school when I lost my father, but my mother is still alive. I joined a gang where some ladies initiated me into a cult. Our main concern is going after male organ for ritual. I have given birth to three children. I sold the first and second children for N200,000 each. The third child is a boy and he is staying with my mother."

"On November 2014, the man met me at Oyima Street, Owerri. He gave me N2,000 to have sex with me. It was around 3.00pm. The victim took me to the hotel in Owerri and he was having sex with me."

"I was on top of him and when he was enjoying it, I brought out my blade and I started cutting his manhood. But it hadn't cut off when he started to shout for help. Then they came to arrest me and he was rushed to the hospital. I was arrested and I have confessed to the police."

The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali confirmed the story to reporters, adding that Uche will soon be charged to court.

2015 Election: President Jonathan, PDP plan to campaign in states controlled by Boko Haram

After over 250 days of shunning the troubled North-East following the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls by terrorists in Chibok, Borno State, President Goodluck Jonathan is set to hit the region  with his campaign train to seek the people's support for his re-election bid.

According to the Peoples Democratic Party National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo, who spoke with Saturday PUNCH during the week in Abuja, the President and the PDP would leave no part of the country unvisited to campaign for support.

He said, "We will visit all parts of the country to campaign. There is no state in Nigeria that the PDP and the President will not visit, including the North-East

"We believe in the sovereignty of the country and that is why we are taking every part of the nation seriously."

Asked if this would not be seen as daring and contemptuous of the people of the North-East, who the President refused to visit even when their towns and cities were being bombed almost every day, he said, "The President does one thing or the other on daily basis. He could be busy attending to issues, some of them if not all, could have positive effect on the lives of the people of the region."

Also the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, reinforced Oladipo's comment, saying notwithstanding the security challenges confronting Nigeria, Jonathan would visit all the states affected by the Boko Haram violence to campaign ahead of the 2015 general elections.

Abati said, "I have no doubt that the President is going to campaign to all Nigerians. A campaign timetable will be issued and the President will visit all parts of the country because he knows that we are facing another election.

"He is not taking any Nigerian for granted because he has served Nigerians faithfully and he is coming to them again in humility to ask for their supports and votes.

"We have no doubt that Nigerians will stand solidly behind him."

My father enlisted me into Boko Haram - 13-year-old female bomber

The Kano State Police Command on Wednesday said it had arrested one of the suspected female bombers, Zaharau Babangida, 13, who was alleged to have attacked the Kano textile market two weeks ago in the metropolis.

The suspected bomber said she came all the way from Bauchi to carry out the heinous act in the Kano market.

She told journalists when paraded at the state police command jointly with Department of State Security Service that her father took her and her mother to an unknown forest where they met other terrorists in what was supposed to be their camp.

Zaharau also confessed that her father alongside the people they met at the forest persuaded her into becoming a suicide bomber so as to enter heaven on the day of judgement.

"My father said I should first go to heaven and he would join me later. I was so disturbed and decided to do what they asked me to do.

"It even went to the extent that they told us that if we refused to take part in that operation they would kill us or they would bury us alive," she said.

In his briefing, the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Aderenle Shinaba, said the police had also apprehended one of the persons who brought the girl to Kano from Bauchi, pointing out that the vehicle in which they brought the girl was now with the security agents.

According to him, the girl was arrested at one of the hospitals in Kano where she went to seek medical treatment following the injuries she sustained after the market blast.

The commissioner also displayed some of the items recovered from her including seven explosives and a power source.

He said the police found it necessary to address the news conference in order to disabuse the minds of the public on the.rumour that the spate of bombings in Kano were being perpetrated by a particular tribe.

Photos: 20-year-old Justin Bieber buys himself a private jet

Justin Bieber has gotten himself a private jet.

The 20-year-old pop star who before now flies on hired private jet, took to Instagram to show off his ride.

"New jet for Christmas, and she's beautiful" he wrote. See more photos below....

President Jonathan's 2nd term bid declaration on 11-11-2014 has occultic significance - Pastor Chris Okotie

President Goodluck Jonathan's declaration for 2nd term on the 11th of November 2014 has an occultic significance, Pastor Chris Okotie has said.

The Nigerian televangelist and pastor of the Household of God Church International Ministries, in a piece posted on his Facebook page explained that the number 11 is a powerful occultic number. Read excerpt below...

"The implication of Dr. Jonathan's declaration on that day (11-11-2014) has occultic significance. When the number is repeated, it takes a greater ritualistic intensity. In this case, we have 11-11-11, because when you add the date 11-11-2014 as a year together, you arrive at 11 also. This is in consonance with occultic numerology.

"In the pre-natural world, the number 11 is a powerful occultic number: it represents judgment, destruction and death of man. Each digit in the 11-11-2014 date, when added together, viz: 1+1+1+1+2+0+1+4, you get 11. That's why the declaration was done on 11/11/2014, which is the highest level of occultic numerology. This sacred number in the occultic world demonstrates an appeasement of the powers of darkness to favour the supplicant. The name of satan in Latin is LVX. L is 50, V is 5 and X is 10. When you add that together, you get 65. When you add 6 + 5, you get 11. Satan's number is 11.

"The question is; was this declaration orchestrated by occultic considerations, or is it a mere coincidence? Since 11 represents; judgment, destruction and death of man, can we extrapolate from the experiences of President Goodluck Jonathan's administration so far that number 11 has been prevalent in our nation? Has there been spiritual judgment, has there been destruction and death on a large scale? You, be the judge."

I’ll meet other military generals to draft a plan that'll crush Boko Haram if elected in 2015 - Buhari

The Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has promised to involve serving and retired military generals to devise an effective strategy to crush insurgency in the country, if elected as President in 2015.

Buhari, in his Christmas goodwill message signed by the Director of Communications, Buhari Campaign Organisation, Mr. Dele Alake, said that though Nigeria is a rich nation, its people are extremely poor due to bad governance.

He said, "On my part, I intend to initiate consultations with serving generals and those who have served our country and distinguished themselves on the battlefield across the world to work out an alternative and effective strategy to crush this insurgency within the shortest possible time if elected president on February 14, 2015.

"I have said that I live the life of a pensioner. I share the burden and anxiety of majority of our poor, powerless people. I have offered myself on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, the party of change, because I desire to give back to a country that clothed, fed and trained me to be what I am today. Our people are poor. But our country is rich."

"In a nation where a few individuals could raise N21bn because they wanted to make their friend President, millions of citizens, who truly own the resources being accumulated by a few, are left to suffer in sorrow, tears and blood."

Buhari felicitated with Christians in the country as they celebrated Christmas, assuring Nigerians that they would have better reasons to celebrate the festival if he is elected in 2015.

"This year's celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ symbolises peace, love and togetherness to mankind. It reminds us, once again, of the exemplary life of Jesus Christ and the ordinary yet spectacular circumstances of His birth. His life enjoins all of us to follow his path by offering to sacrifice our selfish desires for the good of our country
and mankind in general. This event, however, is taking place at a period of serious security challenges across the length and breadth of our dear country.

"The right to life, guaranteed by our constitution, is under savage assault. The stories of murder in the print and electronic media make you shiver to the bones. The daredevilry of the Godless Boko Haram, which penetrated battle lines in the North-East to commit suicidal blasts in the north central capital cities of Bauchi and Gombe, demonstrates the crucial need to review the military strategy of our defence forces."

This is your last Christmas in bondage - APC to Nigerians

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has assured Nigerians that today's Christmas would be their last under the bondage of insecurity, corruption, unemployment, widespread hopelessness and poor leadership.

In a Christmas message to Nigerians, the party, however, said such a desire would only be achieved if voters use the opportunity offered by the coming presidential election to choose competent leadership.

"Many cannot travel home due to fears of kidnapping, ethno-religious crisis and insurgency, depending on which part of the country they are from. Many cannot celebrate due to the effects of the economic downturn, as manifested in weakening Naira and falling oil prices, both exacerbated by widespread corruption.

''Many will mark the holidays in darkness as the country's public power supply seems to have fallen in a direct proportion to the huge funds ostensibly pumped into the sector in the past few years. Many will be stuck on the roads that have become clogged due to their poor state.''

''While there is no magic wand to solve the myriad of problems facing our country in one fell swoop, an APC government will begin to positively impact on the citizenry within its first few months at the helm, to such an extent that Nigerians will have a better Christmas celebration in 2015,'' it said.

Merry Christmas to You! Happy Birthday to Jesus Christ!

Merry Christmas to You and Happy Birthday to our savior, Jesus Christ.

May this festival bring abundant joy and happiness in your life.

Never forget to be thankful for the blessings you have received, especially for the gifts given to you. Be contented with what you have because others may not have it as good as you. Spread humility, joy and love this Christmas day.

Have a safe, fun-filled Christmas celebration.

President Jonathan wishes you all a very happy Christmas celebrations | Read the president's Christmas message to the Nation

Dear Compatriots,

I greet and felicitate with you all once again as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

I join all of our Christian compatriots in giving thanks to God Almighty for the divine gift of Jesus Christ the Messiah whose earthly incarnation we commemorate today.

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ who the Prophet Isaiah heralded as the Prince of Peace and Wonderful Counselor, I believe it is very appropriate that we all, Christians and non-Christians alike, reflect more deeply on the virtues and ideals which the Messiah espoused during his earthly mission.

To my mind, there can be no doubt that the greater internalization of the virtues of love for our fellowmen, tolerance, Godliness, honesty, fairness to others, selflessness, and peaceful co-existence with others, by all adult Nigerians, and the inculcation of the same in our youth, will definitely help our dear nation to overcome most of its present challenges. Peace and love for others,
especially, were a constant refrain in the Messiah's teachings and admonitions to mankind.

Therefore, as we celebrate his birth, I urge all Nigerians to offer special prayers for a greater manifestation of divine peace in our country and the vanquishing of all demons of hatred, divisiveness and disunity in our midst.

As we celebrate Christmas, let us also remember and offer special prayers for all of our countrymen, women and children who have suffered and continue to suffer untold hardship, deprivation and death at the hands of terrorists and insurgents.

Let us also continue to pray for our gallant soldiers and security agents who remain at the forefront of the national effort to overcome terrorism and violent extremism, even as the rest of the nation celebrates Christmas and the coming New Year.

In this season of goodwill, I urge all patriotic Nigerians to rededicate themselves to doing all within their powers to support the brave men and women of our armed forces in the ongoing war against terrorism, and also support the Federal Government's efforts to provide more succour to the hapless victims of terrorist atrocities.

The Victims' Support Fund which we have established to raise additional funds to assist our compatriots who have been adversely affected by continuing insecurity in parts of our country remains active.

I call on all individuals and corporate organisations who have not yet done so, to donate more generously to the Fund which is being efficaciously deployed to ease the sufferings of victims of terrorist violence in the country.

Dear Compatriots, we are also celebrating this Christmas against the background of preparations for next year's general elections.

I seize this opportunity to reassure the nation that my administration will give the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) all necessary support to ensure that it delivers very free, fair, credible and acceptable elections in 2015.

National security agencies will also be given all necessary support to enhance their ability to ensure that the elections which should strengthen democracy in our country are peaceful and violence free.

I urge our political class to be law-abiding and place the greater interests of our nation above all personal or sectional interests in the countdown to the elections. Let us all be more statesman-like, conduct issues-based campaigns, and eschew the promotion of falsehood, division and hatred of others as we seek the votes of our countrymen in what should be a peaceful competition among contending points of view for the progress and development of our dear nation.

I remain convinced that God Almighty is still with us as a nation even in the midst of our current challenges which we shall surely overcome with greater unity of purpose, dedication, commitment and perseverance.

Let this year's celebration of the birth of Christ the Messiah rekindle, strengthen and reaffirm our faith in our national ability to overcome all challenges, with God on our side.

I wish you all very happy Christmas celebrations.

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR
President, Federal Republic of
Nigeria

Only a strong leader like Buhari can chase Boko Haram away - Amaechi

The Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation, Rotimi Amaechi, on Tuesday called on Nigerians to vote out President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 elections.

The Rivers state governor who addressed journalists in Lagos at a maiden press briefing on his plans to drive the party's efforts to win the 2015 presidential election, said only a "strong leader" like Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) could tackle insurgency and corruption in the country.

Amaechi said President Jonathan's administration was too weak to tackle insurgency.

He said, "You need a strong leader to chase away Boko Haram or Boko Haram will chase us away. There are reports that 32 persons have been killed in Bauchi and Gombe; so you need a Buhari to actually fight the insurgents.

"Insurgency continues not because we have a bad military; our soldiers are well trained. It is because they are not well funded. The period when the money gets to the military and before it is released, somewhere, some amount of money disappears.

"So, we have to deal with the issue of corruption and that is where the military is having problem. If they are not properly equipped, they cannot fight insurgency. So, we have to deal with the issue of corruption.

"You want to kill 50 military officers who are saying, 'please equip us properly, I can't go to the battlefront without the right weapon. Now you are sending him to fight a man with RPG and you gave him an old AK47. He says you are risking his life. They have a right to protest that. You don't kill them for that."

Amaechi, who berated President Goodluck Jonathan for condoning corruption, urged Nigerians to take action and not believe that only prayers could solve their problems.

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