My Dear Distinguished Colleagues and my Fellow Nigerians,
I am very happy to send my warmest greetings and best wishes to our Christian faithful brothers and sisters celebrating Christmas. Christmas is the perfect occasion to celebrate love, joy, peace, friendships and all the good things in life. As you celebrate this day, may the Almighty God strengthen your faith, and bless you and your family with peace, love and progress. Also may He bless us with a Nigeria where love, peaceful co-existence, Order, and the Rule of Law reign Supreme.
This festive season heralds peace as well as a time for merriment, sober reflection and introspection. I implore each and every one of us to embrace the ideals of peace and unity as exemplified by the life of Jesus Christ. Let us resolve to honor this spirit of Christmas and strive to keep it throughout the coming year – 2018.
It is true that our country has had to confront moments of hunger, insecurity, long queues at filling stations and darkness this year, but let us also remember a verse from the Gospel of John that contains great hope: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
God bless Nigerians!
God bless the Nigerian Bar Association!!
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!
Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud, OON, SAN
President, Nigerian Bar Association