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Tag: Christmas

  • Buhari greets Nigerians at Christmas

    *Says Nigeria had mixed blessings in 2018

    *Nigeria’s future bright – Buhari

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday felicitated with Nigerians as they mark Christmas, which is the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

    In his 2018 Christmas message to Nigerians, he also pointed out that Nigeria has had mixed blessings in the outgoing year.

    The President was confident that what lies ahead for Nigeria is better than what it has gone through.

    He said “I felicitate with all Nigerians, particularly our Christian brothers and sisters, on the joyous occasion of this year’s

    “Like I have done in the last three Christmas messages to my fellow compatriots as a serving President, I believe this season is another opportunity to reflect on the imagery of the humble, symbolic and divine birth of a young child thousands of years ago in Bethlehem, Judea, and the message of hope, compassion, salvation, reconciliation, forgiveness and peace that Jesus Christ embodies and conveys.

    “In 2018, Nigerians have had mixed blessings, typical of human beings.

    “On the pleasant side, our economy has made significant progress since coming out from recession and our faithful implementation of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

    “Agricultural revolution has seen a vastly improved local production to the detriment of importation, while we have achieved surplus in our trade balance. Similarly, infrastructural deficit has been greatly reduced with significant improvements in roads, railways, aviation and power.

    “In addition, we have not relented in the fight against corruption while the business environment has been improved through institutional reforms.

    “On the downside, we have seen so many unnecessary deaths caused by violent clashes between neighbours, who ordinarily should complement and support one another.

    “We cannot bring back the lives lost to floods, unfortunate fire disasters, road accidents, farmers/herders clashes and insurgency.

    “But we can put back smiles on the faces of the grieving, the displaced and the troubled, if we show a little love and recommit ourselves to building relationships with those outside our ethnic, religious and socio-political divides.”

    He urged Nigerians to exchange gifts, pray and visit loved ones as they celebrate Christmas.

    Read Also: NSCDC trains 70 security guards in C/River

    The President also urged them to remember many others who cannot be with their families during the festive period.

    He said “Our brave Armed Forces, and other security men and women who make incredible sacrifices to keep us safe, the aged, the sick, physically challenged persons, all deserve our goodwill in this season of love and sharing.

    “Together we can show generosity to our neighbours and demonstrate the diversity that makes Nigeria unique – a land with a beautiful climate and vegetation, beaming with an energetic and creative youth population.” he said

    Stressing that Nigeria’s future is bright, he said “We must not also forget that what lies ahead of us as a nation is better than whatever we must have experienced in the past.”

    With general elections around the corner and heightened political activities across the country, he said that he has charged the security and law enforcement agencies to secure the sanctity of the ballot box and ensure that the outcome of the polls reflects the will of the Nigerian people.

    “My avowed commitment to free, fair, credible and violence-free polls is not a ruse or yet another vain political promise. My word is my bond.

    “It is a sworn declaration on the advancement of Nigeria, the future and safety of our young and unborn generations.

    “Let us tell the world that, indeed, ‘‘something good’’ can come out from Nigeria. And it will happen, as we all team up to make it happen.” he said

  • Christmas: Ajimobi’s wife urges women to help the less privileged

    About 1,000 children were treated to some fun and entertainment yesterday, courtesy of the wife of Oyo State governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi.

    The children’s party followed Mrs Ajimobi’s earlier effort at putting smiles on the faces of orphans, the vulnerable and the less privileged children as well as widows from across the state.

    At the two events, hundreds of people were given gifts and other goodies to celebrate the Christmas.

    While the sharing and distribution of gifts was held on Saturday at the Lawn Tennis Court of the Agodi Government House in Ibadan, the state capital, the Christmas party for the children was held yesterday at Agodi Gardens in the city.

    Mrs Ajimobi urged women to help other less privilege and needy children within their domain, in the spirit of Christmas.

    The governor’s wife thanked the residents, particularly the women, for supporting her husband’s administration in the last eight years.

    She also solicited the support of women for candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in next year’s elections, including the governorship candidate, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, and others at various levels, for continuity of what she called “the good work done by Senator Abiola Ajimobi”.

    She said: “I thank the women of the state for your support in the last eight years. Without you, I wouldn’t have achieved so much.

    “I want women to let the fear of God continue to guide them. They should be charitable, particularly in this season of Christmas, which is a time of giving, because there are so many people around us that don’t have the same opportunity as we do.

    “Children, Christmas is about giving to the poor and needy. You must continue to be good children so that you can grow up to be responsible adults.”

    Mrs Ajimobi distributed bags of rice, vegetable oil, salt, juices and tissue papers, among others.

    At the celebration, the children had dancing competition, games, prizes, parents’ dancing competition, cutting of Christmas cake, music, entertainment, among others.

    Also, the wife of Ekiti State governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, has said the purpose of the annual Children End of Year party is to spread love towards everyone, particularly children.

    Mrs Fayemi spoke at the weekend at this year’s Children’s Party in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    The governor’s wife noted that the idea behind the event was for many children to come together and celebrate the joy of Christmas and the end of the year.

    She said: “It is a time for us to show love to one another and be our brother’s keeper; a time to be God-fearing, have the spirit of humility, forgiveness and giving.

    “It is imperative to express gratitude to God and I wish you all a happy Christmas and a happy new year in advance.

    “We were taught to be God-fearing and obedient, when we were children. We are passing this on to our children, who are here. I pray that we will all enjoy our children and they will all grow up to become great children in future, in Jesus name.”

    Some of the children hailed Mrs Fayemi for hosting them.

    They described her as a mother-figure, jewel of inestimable value and role model for every Ekiti child.

  • CAN urges Christians to show love at Christmas

    CHRISTIAN Association of Nigeria (CAN) President Rev. Samson Ayokunle has urged Christians home and abroad to keep showing love across religious and ethnic divides during and after the Christmas celebration.

    He advised them to live in peace and assist one another, no matter the situation.

    The clergy man prayed God to console and comfort those who have lost their loved ones at different killings across the country during the year.

    Ayokunle, who is also the president, the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), in a statement issue in Abuja, said: “I, Rev. Dr. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, on behalf of Christian Association of Nigeria, hereby felicitate with Christians all over our country Nigeria and all over the world on this great occasion of the commemoration of the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

    “The Christmas story is associated with the physical manifestation of the love of God to human race because God gave us his Son to redeem us from the original Adamic sin. No wonder his birth was originally announced by the angel with songs of joy and a message of goodwill to all men.

    “Therefore, we at Christian Association of Nigeria congratulate the entire human race for this gift of God, which all need to open up their hearts and receive for their redemption.

    “On the other hand, we specially congratulate Christians for a renewed hope the anniversary of his birth brought to us. What a privilege to know him as Lord and to know that God dwells with us daily bodily in Jesus of Nazareth.

    “We, therefore, urge all Christians to show love to all they come across or live with anywhere in the world. This is the true sign that we know the God of love. Showing love should cut across religious and ethnic divides. In Christ Jesus, there is no hatred at all.

    “Not only this, we enjoin you all that as you commemorate this event, we should maintain peace and order and equally give our best to others in the service of the Living God. Let us remember those who do not have food, clothing and other material needs around us and give them something out of the little or much we have. There is nothing too insignificant to spare or too big to give.

    “May this celebration be everlasting for you all and may you never have cause to weep at this season. For those experiencing hard times and discomfort, may the hope His birth brings to the world give you hope beyond what you are passing through in the name of Jesus. May God console and comfort all the bereaved as He heals those who are sick among us in Jesus’ Name. Merry Christmas to you all. God bless Nigeria.”

  • Christmas: Pray for successful 2019 polls, Razak urges Christians

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Chief Lanre Razak, has urged Christians to pray for continued peace, stability and progress of the country as well as successful conduct of next year’s general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Razaq stated this in his goodwill message for tomorrow’s Christmas.

    The APC chieftain noted that the birth of Jesus Christ over 2000 years ago, which is being celebrated among Christians, signifies major milestone in the history of mankind.

    He said: “The Messiah’s moral and spiritual teachings of love, humility and faithfulness should be imbibed by all Christian faithful.”

    According to him, putting same to practice will go a long to impact positively on Nigerians who are currently grappling with insecurity, poverty, unemployment and corruption.

    In a statement yesterday in Lagos, Razak, a former Commissioner for Public Transportation, said it is only when the faithful practice what they profess in their private and public conducts that followers of other religions would fully appreciate the true meaning of Christianity, “that is firmly rooted in love of God and fellow human beings”.

    He added: “This is in line with Christ’s admonition that ‘thou shall love the Lord your God with all your soul, and with your mind. Thou shall love your neighbour as yourself’, which are regarded as the greatest of God’s 10 commandments.

    “Therefore, if we succeed in imbibing his qualities of humility, love, fairness and show consideration for fellow Nigerians, we would do less of evangelism to attract non-believers of the faith to the Body of Christ, as our lives would be shining examples that would convince many to come to God.

    “Besides, we should continue to work harder for a better country where the less privileged members of society are made to share with the rich and Christians should realise that there is life after death and Paradise for the righteous.

    “We should further resolve to share goodwill across religious, social, political and economic divides to accelerate growth in our country. Next year, we should vote only God-fearing, responsible and patriotic politicians whose only agenda is the common good of the majority and development of their fatherland.”

  • Christmas NSCDC deploys 50 thousand officers

    Ahead of the yuletide season, the Commandant General (CG) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Muhammadu, has ordered immediate deployment of over 50 thousand personnel. Sniffer dogs, specialised Units such as SWAT, CBRN, Emergency and Rescue Team, Ambulances and Mobile Surveillance Vehicle are also part of the deployment to every nooks and crannies of the country to beef up security and ensure a hitch free celebrations.

    The Commandant General gave this directives, while addressing his management team in Abuja. The deployment is with immediate effect to all strategic locations nationwide. He urged all States Commandants to ensure that all black spots, shopping malls, recreation centres, markets, worship centres, hotels and critical infrastructure and assets are well manned and secured.

    In the same vein, the Commandant General has cancelled all leave applications of senior officers and directed that those on leave be recalled back to duty during this yuletide season in order to ensure effective deployment, monitoring and supervision considering the fact that people who engaged in nefarious activities usually take advantage of festive periods to perpetrate evil when the people will be in the mood of celebration.

    According to a statement issued yesterday by the NSCDC spokesman, Emmanuel Okeh, the NSCDC boss called for synergy among security Agencies at this crucial period and warned the corps personnel to be civil and diplomatic in the discharge of their duties bearing in mind that anyone fingered in any form of misconduct or compromise shall be dealt with accordingly.

  • Christmas: Osinowo felicitates with Lagosians

    The senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos East, Bayo Osinowo, has urged Christians to pray for the country to overcome its security, political and socio-economic challenges. He said this in a Christmas goodwill message made available to newsmen by his media team at the weekend.

    Osinowo, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, urged Christians to remember the indigents, the sick and the homeless across the state in prayers.

    The APC chieftain reassured Lagosians of the state government’s commitment to making life better for the people of the state during and after the yuletide season. He pleaded for peaceful celebrations during the Christmas period. “During his earthly sojourn, Jesus Christ repeatedly reminded his disciples and followers of peace that comes in the midst of trials and tribulations on earth,” he said.

    “Faithful adherence to the virtues of Jesus Christ, including love, unity, sacrifice and peaceful coexistence, which constitute the fundamental ingredients for development of any nation and will lead to the growth and stability of Lagos State in particular and Nigeria as a whole. Christians should use this period as one for sober reflection on the acute challenges facing us all to see how they could apply the virtues of Jesus Christ in fashioning out workable solutions,” he pleaded.

    The lawmaker, who has been giving out cash and food items to indigent people across the senatorial district in the spirit of the season, said “the spirit of sharing is an African tradition that generates happiness and ensures social stability in the absence of a formal social security mechanism that caters for the less-privileged in our society. It is therefore important that we use this season to give to those in need, like Christ did.”

     

  • Elevating family health at Christmas

    ’’The Lord God said: It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suited to him.”  This is a scriptural quote from Genesis 2: 18 (NAB).

    And we are told that God created Eve to be Adam’s suitable companion.  In the course of time, over the centuries, Eve became Adam’s servant, Adam’s slave, Adam’s sex toy, Adam’s punch-bag, Adam’s subject, possession, nonentity and many things other than suitable companion or complementary support. In fact, the helper had sometimes taken over all the work.

    Now, gone are the days when Adam rose early to leave home and go to work with his muscles while Eve stayed behind to prepare for his coming back home. It was all about Adam.  Everything was centred round Adam.  Rightly or wrongly, Adam ruled Eve, lorded it over Eve, decided everything for Eve, and possessed Eve.

    Nowadays, Adam has learned to put the laundry in the washing machine, strike a match stick and light the cooker, turn on the microwave, change the diaper, wash a toilet or two, etc., without blinking an eye. This magic of twenty first century Adam-life should not be taken for granted by Eve.  It was never like that.  Eve used to be ignorant, subdued, quiet, submissive in all things, less important, never complaining, fatalistic, etc.

    Eve only began to stir with the advent of mass literacy, the printing press, and finally when the Internet and cable networks transformed global culture, Eve began to leap and dance and let her voice be heard as loud as needed. Adam now happily does the things that only the weaker sex used to do when they were very hard to do, when there was no electricity, when there were no machines and   gadgets for house chores, when there were no remote controls. Adam has joined Eve now in using remote controls around the house and sharing the chores. Has Adam really changed or is it that he just enjoys remote control?

    Companionship is a wonderful aspect of life.  Companionship is not about who is the leader and who is the follower, who is more important and who is less important, who is weak and who is strong, who is dominant and who is submissive, who is able and who is unable….  It is about being suitable for each other, suited to each other, suited to one another.  It is about walking along together, working well together, growing together, bearing fruit together, enjoying life together.

    Companionship within family life is an important background for good health, wellness, and fitness of body, mind, and spirit.

    The Christmas and New Year Seasons bring family members together and this is possibly a good time for an examination of conscience. Are we helpful to and supportive of one another? Can we be trusted by one another?  Are we loyal to one another? Do we give one another peace?  Are we harmonious?  Do we understand one another?  Do we bear with one another?  Do we make up for one another’s ignorance, weaknesses, lacks, difficulties? Do we let each one be himself or herself? Do we enjoy one another and promote one another? Do we give one another the best we can of good things of life: food, clothing, home environment, entertainment, money, leisure, sleep, etc.? Do we pray for one another or with one another? Are we sharing, giving, and caring with our family members? Daddy, Mummy, son, daughter, grandpa, grandma, – we are all in this together, elevating our family health through good companionship.

    Family health and societal well-being cannot be divorced. All that emanate from our families go into society: sound minds, peaceful characters, reliable workers, honest leadership, considerate administrators, effective team-players, for example, plus a host of qualities including harmony, morals, manners, and service.

    The message of Christmas is all consoling.  God with us? God with humanity? Humanity: men, women, boys, girls, masters, slaves, rich, poor, learned, illiterate, leader, follower, young, old, able, unable, nice, naughty, and everything in between or beyond these opposites…humanity.  Christmas is a time that brings the whole world into one big family wherein we learn to walk with God and we learn to walk with humans.

    An elevated family health and societal well-being to all readers, this Christmas and always.

    Theresa Adebola John is a lecturer at Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) and an affiliated researcher at the College of Medicine, University of Tennessee, Memphis.  For any comments or questions on this column, please email bolajohnwritings@yahoo.com or call 08160944635

  • Christmas: StarTimes offers 50% discount on Subscription

    Ahead of the Christmas celebration, Pay TV Company, StarTimes has announced a 50% discount off subscription rates this for its subscribers.

    According to the company, the offer kicks off on December 1 till January 31, 2019.

    During this period, subscribers who renew their subscription for two months will automatically get 50% discount on their 2nd month subscription.

    Commenting on the initiative, the Public Relations Manager, StarTimes Nigeria, Kunmi Balogun noted that “The Christmas season often come with a lot of expenses hence our reason to make it a bit more bearable by offering 50% discount when you pay for 2 months”

    ‘‘When subscribers pay for two months on any bouquet, between December 1st and January 31st, they enjoy 50% discount on the second month plus instant gifts at any StarTimes business hall nationwide”

    He reaffirmed that during this period, blockbuster Nollywood movies and those in movies would be aired by its self-owned Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba channels to provide unlimited entertainment to subscribers.

  • Christmas knocks at the door

    As Christmas is fast approaching, I can reckon this is most likely going to be the merriest of the Christmas we have ever had in the country.

    The Yuletide of this year is supporting next year’s elections, and as it is customary with such coincidences, the ‘desert’ of lack in several homes will soon transform into oasis of relief.

    I cannot wait for the springing up of water of merriment into millions of homes that had become arid in geographical terms at the moment, with an assurance of massive turnout at next year’s elections. That being so, let me be the first to wish all citizens “Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year” in advance!

  • Don’t ask me about Christmas – Car dealer

    Don’t ask me about Christmas – Car dealer

    You could describe Chinedu Nwogbo as the senior officer at the car mart. His colleagues repeatedly said he was the one who could speak extensively on the matter. Besides, they said, he is the one who has been dealing with the police on the matter.

    Have you got any kind of compensation for your loss yet?

    No compensation whatsoever. The police are yet to trace the driver or owner of the tanker.

    When was the last time you spoke with the police on the matter?

    I spoke with the DPO on this matter two weeks ago, but penultimate Monday, the DCO (Divisional Crime Officer) called me officially on the matter. It was in response to a call I made to him regarding investigation on the matter. After the incident, the plate number was burnt beyond recognition, so the police demanded that we copied the chassis and engine number, which we did. They collected the numbers and wrote to the Central Motor Licensing office requesting detailed information about the truck; but after some time, they said the licensing office said they didn’t have information on the vehicle. I asked the DPO if that was possible and he said yes. He said most of the tanker drivers don’t renew their documents, especially when they change their engines because police rarely stop them.

    Have you been able to scoop any information on your own?

    Nothing. When we heard that the truck may have loaded from the Satellite depot, I called and informed the police. I expect that they would shift their investigation to that end, working with the date and time space. But you know, I cannot be teaching them their job. I am not a police officer.

    How about insurance? Do you have any cover?

    We know about insurance but these are tokunbo (second-hand) vehicles. Most of them were given to us by individual importers who wanted us to help sell them; and they could come and take them anytime. So if we insure such cars, who bears the loss?

    The DPO has said investigations are ongoing; is that a consolation?

    Unless a special investigation team is taking up the matter, going by what they told me, I think they may have concluded efforts on the search. When they told me they couldn’t trace the owner from the licensing office, I asked ‘what next?’ and they told me they are not magicians.

    Any hope of reprieve?

    The only hope we have is in the government. The day the incident happened, a lot of government officials came here; the local government chairman, Amuwo Odofin Constituency representative in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Dipo Dina; representatives of the Lagos State government, even somebody came on behalf of the federal government.  On December 27, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode also visited, although we were not here on the day. They asked us to write a letter, which we did. We have got first and second correspondence; but that is as far as we have come.

    It must have been a very quiet Christmas for you and your colleagues.

    You’re talking about Christmas? How do you expect Christmas to be? My brother, we survived only by the grace of God. We have started another school session; we need to pay the fees; our rents are due…. It is only God; help is not coming from anywhere.