The chairman of Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Dr. Ahmed Apatira, has forbade all street jams and carnivals during the celebrations and encouraged peaceful coexistence among the locals.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria NAN, Apatira urged residents to show kindness to the less fortunate members of the community in his Christmas message.
“We urge Christians to emulate virtues of humility, tolerance, perseverance and compassion as exemplified by Jesus Christ.
“We want you to see this period of Christmas as an opportunity to rekindle acts of love and kindness to one another and especially to the vulnerable in society.
“The season symbolizes love, care and compassion for persons, especially the weak, vulnerable and less privileged,” he said.
“My message to everyone at this period is to put a smile on the face of persons who may not necessarily be able to pay them back,” Apatira admonished the people.
He added that the LCDA banned all forms of street Jamz, carnivals or public processions across the community.
He urged the residents to desist from any activity that could lead to disruption of public peace and safety.
He said that the ban became imperative due to violence and wanton destruction of properties usually experienced during such events.
“The ban becomes necessary due to a series of violence and wanton destruction of valuable properties associated with such carnivals in recent times.
“In view of this, the executive, legislative and management team while reviewing the security situation within and outside the council area, came to the conclusion that the street jamz and carnivals had become an avenue through which some unscrupulous people and cultists unleashed terror on innocent members of the public.
“As a government saddled with the constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and properties, this administration cannot fold its arms while hoodlums will be making life difficult for law-abiding citizens.
“In this regard, all forms of street jamz, carnivals and public processions are hereby banned and violators will be made to face the full wrath of the law,” he said.
The council boss urged residents to go about their normal activities without fear of molestation as his administration had taken proactive measures with security agencies to guarantee hitch-free Christmas and new year celebrations for residents.