 And as people of river state joined the rest of the world to celebrate Christmas, Christian faithful gathered for the Christmas church service as part of activities marking the best of Jesus Christ. At the Redeemed Prophetic Mission in Portacolle, some of them said, Christmas represents salvation for mankind as it is the celebration of the birth of Christ. Speaking with correspondents, cleric at the Redeemed Prophetic Mission said, the essence of Christmas is a celebration of life, love, a time to understand and reflect on the lessons from Jesus. The right way to celebrate, number one, is to celebrate by giving your life to Christ. So it's a celebration of love. The way to celebrate it, to celebrate by sharing, reaching out to one another, whatever thing you have, share with your friends, share with those that do not have. Then you celebrate also by appreciating God, physically from your heart. He advised residents that this is from discrimination and tribalism as Christianity is based on love and forgiveness of our God. Some residents also speak on the essence of celebration of Christmas. Okay, I was thinking about the struggles for the gifts of life, the onslaughts for keeping my family happy. As a country, we have to be happy. That despite all the challenges in security, we have not gone into war. God is faithful to this country. We should keep up a life. Nigerians, we ought to keep up a life. The situation is affecting Dick, Tom and Harry. There is no body that is not affected. Even those in the city, it's also affecting them. So we have to keep up a life. Because unto him that jointed to all the living, there is hope. Christmas should be every day, right? So if you give today, you should give tomorrow. You should continue to give throughout the year. And then remember that after Christmas, there's something else that follows, right? So Christmas will come and go. I mean the season will come and go. And then January will start. February will start. So live your normal lives. Don't do anything outside of the ordinary. But then let Christmas change you. And make you do extraordinary things all year round. Healing is needed. We need a national survivor. It's time that we build a Christian body. We all have to go back to God and say God, heal our nation. It's first chronicle, at the second chronicle chapter. If those who are called by my name shall humble themselves and seek my face. And turn from their evil ways. I will hear from heaven. I will hear the land. It's time for us to come to God and ask God to hear the hand. The government are helpless. Our politicians can see the presidency are helpless. The bandits are multiplying day by day. The terrorist group. Different crime here and there. It's time we come back to God and say God help us. To eat alone, enjoy alone is not reasonable. Let them empower the less privileged. We voted in there because without those less privileged votes, they will not be there. Let them embody the spirit of good leadership. Leadership that will call for great undevelopment. For us present and for our children, children that I have to call.