Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, has urged wealthy individuals and organisations to always see to the welfare and wellbeing of the poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

Ms Edu in a Christmas message on Tuesday in Abuja by her media aide, Mr Rasheed Olanrewaju, said doing so would help in complementing the government’s effort in poverty reduction.

“It’s Christmas, go the extra mile to show love and care for the needy,” she said.

She assured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s commitment to lift millions of the poor and vulnerable Nigerians out of poverty in the coming year.

Appealing to Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of forgiveness, love and tolerance as exemplified by Jesus Christ, the minister enjoined them to remain selfless in service to the nation.

The statement also quoted the minister as describing Jesus Christ as a “symbol of humility, selflessness and an epitome of empathy and love for the poor and vulnerable.

”So, Christmas reminds us that humility and selflessness are the hallmarks of leadership, as exhibited by Christ himself,” she said.

The minister therefore expressed her desire to imbibe such virtues in delivering the renewed hope mandate to support the welfare of the needy in the country.

She stated, “We are determined to give the poor and vulnerable Nigerians a new lease of life through the various social intervention programmes in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President. We will never relent on that mandate till at least 50 million poor and vulnerable Nigerians are pulled out of poverty within 42 months.’’

She therefore used the opportunity to express her gratitude to Nigerians and wished them a prosperous New Year.

(NAN)