Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has charged residents of the state to celebrate Christmas with love, peace and unity toward one another and shun tendencies that sought to divide the people.
Eno made this statement in his 2023 Christmas message to the Akwa Ibom people on Monday in Uyo.
He said Christmas celebration is a period of love and exchange of gifts, that should bring people together as one, as preached by Jesus Christ in his holy book.
“This is a season of joy and goodwill. I call on our people to continue to live in peace and unity and eschew tendencies that seek to divide us.
“As I have been saying: Politics is long gone. It’s now time for governance.
“We should bury and throw into the trash can, the cards of hatred, of whipping non-existence schisms and of demonising our leaders and symbols of authority,” Eno said.
Eno tasked the Akwa Ibom people and all residents to celebrate with love and remember those who are in a disadvantaged position in the society.
The governor also assured the people that his administration would continue to do everything possible to improve on the welfare of citizens.
According to him, as part of measures to put smiles on the faces of workers during this period, government had paid the 13th month salary to all workers in the state.