Wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu last weekend , urged Nigerians to imbibe the culture of love and service to humanity, saying that is the only way to ensure peace among all people.
The Governor’s wife, who spoke at the 15th edition of the Christmas Carol of Nine Lessons held at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, said love and humanity are the basic ways to emulate the attributes of Jesus Christ, who is the essence of the Christmas season.
Her words: “Jesus came to the world so that mankind will not perish and there is no better way to demonstrate love other than this. I urge all Christians not to lose track of the essence of Christmas but should instead, imbibe and sustain the virtue of true love for each other”.
“This is a time for us to be reminded of the need to imbibe and sustain true love for each other. This is the time to reach out to others. This is a season to commemorate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, the saviour of mankind. Jesus Christ is the reason for the season. He came to the world to die for our sins and connect us back to God. The birth signifies God’s love for humanity as it is in John. 3:16”, she said.
Earlier, the Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi, said the occasion was a way of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and giving thanks to God in Hymns and Psalms.
In his words: “The end of the year is a period of sober reflection, a time to take stock of all activities from the beginning of the year in order to express our gratitude to the Most High for His divine intervention in Lagos State”.
“Despite our challenges, we are still standing tall by His grace. I beseech us all to count our blessings and give thanks to God because he has indeed been faithful. The 2021 edition of the Carol Service is special for obvious reasons, especially the fact that God did not allow us to be devoured by the Lions of 2020 is more than enough reason to be thankful”, the Commissioner said.
He encouraged Lagosians to rejoice and appreciate the faithfulness of God in our lives and in Lagos State as we proceed with the assurance that the Year 2022 will be better and brighter than 2021.
Elegushi, however, called for continuous adherence to the COVID-19 safety protocols in all social gatherings and celebrations this yuletide season, warning that the pandemic is still out there, seeking for whom to devour.
He recalled that the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, two weeks ago hosted Religious Leaders to a three-day Inter-Faith Parley where various issues were discussed on the role of Religious Bodies in achieving a Greater Lagos.
The Commissioner said it was worthy to note that the fruits of the parley in the quality of sermons in religious houses are already being reaped.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr. Sewedo Oluseyi Whenu, said Christmas is a season of love, peace and happiness, a period of spiritual reborn, a period of reform to shed our inadequacies and strive to imbibe virtuous habits.
“It is also a time to express gratitude to God. Gratitude helps us to grow and it brings joy and laughter into our lives and into the lives of all those around us”, he said.
The event also had in attendance the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, members of the State Executive Council including the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashade Jaji, Body of Permanent Secretaries, leaders of religious groups and the Chairman of All Progressives Congress, Mr. Cornelius Ojelabi, among several others.
Different gospel artists including Nathaniel Bassey, Efe Nathan, Funmi Sax, Laolu Gbenjo, Pain & Pleasure Band and Wesley School for the Deaf, among several others performed at the event.
