The National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN), His Eminence, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has enjoined Nigerians to unite to defeat insurgency and other ills plaguing the country.

Oritsejafor stated this in his New Year message to the nation.

The statement made available toNewsExpress,readsin part thus: “Dear fellow Nigerians, I felicitate with you, on behalf of the national executive of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), on the occasion of the 2016 New Year celebration.

“As we join the rest of the world to mark the end of a turbulent year and beginning of another one, I want to congratulate all Nigerians for being resolute in the out gone year 2015.

“Indeed the year 2015 tested our resolve as a nation to forge ahead in spite of the daunting challenges. Unarguably, the true Nigerian spirit was tested in the course of the year and the rest is now history.

“As we celebrate the New Year, I urge all citizens to reflect on the challenges that impeded Nigeria's progress with a view to tackling them. Let us put the wrongs of the past behind us and move on as a nation.”

According to him, Nigerians must fight to defeat ills that have retarded the growth of their country and promote those positive virtues that are capable of prepositioning its economy.

“I urge all Nigerians to join forces in the New Year and work toward the general good of the country.

“I also urge us all to stand firm in support of state apparatuses to defeat the evil of insurgency and other vices confronting the country.

“It is high time all Nigerians put aside their differences and work with relevant authorities in the New Year to move our country.”

“Let us all,” he said, “emulate the teachings of the holy books and promote what is genuinely represented in the schools.”

“May the spirit of the season which is manifested in Joy, Peace, Sacrifice continue to guide our actions in the New Year.

Once again, I wish all citizens a wonderful and fulfilling New Year.”

•Photo showsCAN President, Pastor Oritsejafor.