Dapo Abiodun, the governor of Ogun State, has asked citizens to honor the weaker and less fortunate sections of society and to celebrate Christmas in moderation.
In his Christmas message, which was given at the state’s Christmas Carol and Service of Nine Lessons on Tuesday at the Arcade Ground, State Secretariat, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Abiodun made the call, according to a statement released on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Lekan Adeniran.
Among the dignitaries who attended the carol service were Bishop David Oyedepo of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, the National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Most Reverend Dr. Daniel Okoh, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Governor of the State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, and others.
“Christmas is a time that unites people across divides and transcends barriers,” Abiodun added, highlighting the everlasting virtues of love, compassion, charity, and faith.
He said, “This time of year encourages us to see beyond ourselves and value the ties that bind us to our family and friends. Because helping the poor is a reflection of Christ’s life, let’s provide a helping hand.
He emphasized that without Christ, Christmas would not exist and urged people to consider the fundamental essence of the holiday, which is giving and sharing.
He continued, “It is a time to support the underprivileged and give back to our community.”
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and uplifting the weak in order to create a society in which everyone may prosper.
In Ogun State, we will keep supporting initiatives that foster compassion, love, and self-determination. To promote sustainable development, upgrade infrastructure, and improve public service, our administration has put forth endless effort,” he stated.
According to Abiodun, the greatest success of his administration is not found in the legacy it leaves behind, but rather in the community’s strength, the people’s resiliency, and their compassion for one another.
As the governor prayed for the spirit of Christmas to fortify ties, spur advancement, and provide peace and prosperity to every family, he encouraged people to continue the lessons of unity, kindness, and hope for a better future as they approach the new year.
Christmas is a chance to make peace between God and humanity through Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, according to Most Reverend Daniel Okoh, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, in his sermon titled “Building Our Future Together.”
The President of CAN asserted, citing John 2:7, that since Jesus’ birth brought humanity closer to God, believers should be advocates of peace rather than agents of resentment.
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It is important to enjoy Christmas with everyone, not just your buddies. We must climb the mountain of hatred and carry the weight of peace as Christians. He stated that as only peace leads to progress, now is not the time to mistreat others.
Let’s concentrate on what unites us. Since some people have never known the joy of Christmas, let us keep the impoverished and needy in mind. To let the homeless know they belong in society, let’s go visit them,” he continued.
He called Ogun State a place of peace where people from all over the nation live together and praised Governor Abiodun for leading an inclusive administration that has brought the state’s citizens together from all walks of life.
Bishop David Oyedepo, the Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), prayed for the nation and the state and stated that although peace is elusive and unaffordable, it was brought into the world by the birth of Jesus.
Stressing that all issues are resolved when there is peace, he reminded Nigerians that the true meaning of Christmas is not just to celebrate but also to demonstrate love via harmonious coexistence.
The governor’s wife, the deputy governor, the speaker, the chief judge of the state, the secretary to the state government, and other notable figures recited passages from the Bible during the carol service. Other highlights were performances by numerous choirs and special guests.
