"The year 2008 promises to be a very eventful one in the progressive development of our dear nation," said President Umaru Musa Yar'adua in his New Year message. He called for support of his policies, which he said aim to provide social services to the country's 135 million people, of whom about 50 percent are Muslim and 40 percent are Christian.

Vice President Goodluck Jonathan delivered a January 1 speech at a church in Asokoro. He urged Nigerians to make God their central focus if the country is to survive turbulent times and problems of restiveness in the Niger Delta as well as the incessant religious conflicts that have bedeviled the northern part of Africa's most populous country.

In a message to Nigerians, Cardinal Anthony Okogie, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Lagos in southwestern Nigeria, questioned the sincerity of Nigeria's political leadership in its war on corruption. He said Nigerians are yet to be told the amount of money recovered from those who looted from the nation's treasury.

"We do not know how much has been recovered from corrupt leaders. Government has not been able to tell Nigerians the true position of things, of the total loot recovered from former leaders/politicians. We need to know," said Okogie.

The Rev. William Avenya, secretary general of the 16-nation Association of the Episcopal Conferences of West Africa, urged citizens to develop lifestyles anchored in prayer as it is only in this way that they can have true happiness and maximize their God-endowed potential in the year 2008.

"If God is on the side of our country, then we are poised for greater heights in 2008. If we develop the habit of praying, then there is no doubt that we can influence the world positively. A praying family begets a praying and a happy nation," said Avenya.

Sunday Makinde, who heads the Methodist Church of Nigeria, for his part called on all Nigerians to work toward positive development, "even as we focus on self-attainment and personal achievements."

Ayo Oritsejafor, president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, called on the Nigerian ruling class to use the year "as a moment for sober reflection, to shun political violence, and to pursue every Godly and patriotic virtue, which will further enhance the democratic status of our nation."