Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Executive Chairman Dr. Ahmed Apatira has banned all carnivals and street Jamz during the festivities, calling for peaceful coexistence among residents.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Apatira in his Christmas message urged residents to extend kindness to the less privileged in the community.
“We ask Christians to imitate the virtues of humility, tolerance, perseverance and mercy exemplified by Jesus Christ.
“We want to see this Christmas period as an opportunity to revive acts of love and kindness towards each other and especially towards the weak in society.
“The season symbolizes love, care and compassion for people, especially the weak, vulnerable and less privileged,” he said.
“My message to all of you this time is to put a smile on the face of people who can’t necessarily return it.
The council leader said Christmas was a season that revealed the depth of God’s love for humanity and the depth of sacrifice we should emulate in our relationship with our neighbors.
Apatira added that the LCDA banned street jams, carnivals or public processions throughout the community.
He asked the residents to refrain from any activity that could cause a breach of public peace and security.
He said the ban became necessary because of the violence and vandalism of property that usually prevails during the July season.
“The ban becomes necessary because of the violence and needless destruction of valuable property associated with such carnivals in recent times.
“In view of this, the executive, legislative and management team, when examining the security situation inside and outside the council, concluded that the street party and carnival had become a means through which unscrupulous individuals and cultists unleashed terror on the innocent. members of the public
“As a government with a constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property, this administration cannot sit idly by while criminals continue to make life difficult for law-abiding citizens.
“In this regard, street jams, carnivals and public processions are prohibited and violators will face the full wrath of the law,” he said.
The city boss urged residents to go about their normal activities without fear of harassment as his administration took proactive measures with security agencies to ensure Christmas and New Year celebrations for residents.
IN