Hon. Toby Okechukwu, the Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Reps and member representing Aninri, Awgu and Oji-River Federal constituency has called on Nigerians to use the Christmas season to pray for the peace, unity, and rebirth of the nation.

The lawmaker who made this call in his Christmas message, also called on the various town unions and local governance structures to see the season as an opportunity to engage the citizens on the various social and development challenges facing their respective communities.

READ ALSO ENUGU REP DEPUTY MINORITY LEADER, OKECHUKWU AND WIFE RECEIVES CHIEFTAINCY TITLE

“The birth of Christ brings hope and marks a new beginning, not just for us as individuals, but also as communities and as a nation. At Christmas, therefore, I urge Nigerians to look beyond the challenges to see the new possibilities – opportunities of a rebirth and a new society – inspired by the virtues of love, peace, forgiveness, and hope that this season brings.

“Above all, I urge Nigerians to commune with God and pray for the security, prosperity, and development of our nation”. The holiday also presents an ample opportunity for communities to commune and deploy the instruments of town union and other local governance structures to address the challenges peculiar to each community.

“There is particular need for communities to interface on the rising menace of drug abuse and other social vices ravaging our villages. We cannot allow our society, particularly the youth, to be derailed or destroyed by illicit drugs”, Okechukwu said concluding while wishing Nigerians a merry Christmas and happy New Year.