Bamidele calls for reflection, unity, nation-building in Christmas message

As Christians around the world celebrate Christmas, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the Leader of the Senate, has urged Nigerians to embrace the true essence of the season—reflection, compassion, and nation-building.

In his Christmas statement, Bamidele highlighted the birth of Jesus Christ as the central focus of the festivities, describing it as a reminder of God’s redemption plan and a call to reflect on Christ’s sacrifice and love for humanity.

“Christ is indeed the real reason for this season and nothing more,” he stated, underscoring that Christmas transcends the usual wining and dining.

The senator emphasised the importance of showing care to the needy, ministering to the vulnerable, and reaching out to those in troubled areas.

“As we celebrate His faithfulness and goodness in our homes, we must also remember the needy in our neighbourhoods and consciously minister to them as Christ would have done,” he said, advocating for rekindling hope in the hearts of the vulnerable nationwide.

Bamidele also called on Nigerians to renew their commitment to their country. He stressed the importance of offering prayers for the nation’s economic revival, political stability, and social cohesion.

“This is the season to halt the search for pastures that are never green and to join hands in building our nation with conviction,” he declared.

Reflecting on legislative efforts in the 10th National Assembly, Bamidele pointed to key reforms and bills aimed at fostering economic growth and easing the burden on citizens.

He cited examples such as the Tax Reform Bills, the National Minimum Wage Act, and the National Ranches Commission Establishment Bill, among others, describing them as measures rooted in love for the country and its people.

He addressed concerns about the Tax Reform Bills, noting their alignment with principles of equity, fairness, and justice.

He explained that the proposals exempt low-income earners and start-ups from taxation while recommending zero VAT on essential services and goods.

Additionally, he said the reforms aim to rebalance revenue distribution across states, ensuring fairness for all regions.

Using data to dispel misconceptions, Bamidele clarified that under the proposed model, Kano would receive 6.17% of VAT revenue, up from 0.89%, while Zamfara’s share would rise to 1.21% from 0.05%. Conversely, Lagos would see a significant reduction in its share, from 80.26% to 15.28%.

“The narrative around the new derivation model is utterly incorrect and unfounded,” he asserted.

Bamidele assured Nigerians of the Senate’s commitment to policies that align with the nation’s welfare.

“As Christ our Lord has taught us, we shall never pursue any agenda outside our oath of allegiance or conflicting with the interest of our constituents and our Fatherland,” he pledged.