The lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency 1 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Desmond Olushola Elliott (DOE), has urged Nigerians to celebrate Christmas by sharing joy with those around them.
Elliott made the call on Friday as part of his “Santa on the Street” programme, which ran from December 24 to 26, marking the festive season with acts of generosity.
The initiative saw the Santa DOE crew visiting hospitals, schools, churches, mosques, streets, and Christmas party spots across Surulere constituency, distributing gifts including bags of rice, toys, money vouchers, and live chickens to residents.
Dressed in Santa costumes, Elliott personally handed out the items, leading the team to Saint Anthony Catholic Church Gbaja, Surulere Central Mosque, and Precious Stone Church (Ijo Okuta Iyebiye) on Ibidun Street, bringing smiles to passersby.
Elliott encouraged Nigerians to spread love in small ways, saying, “This is a joyful time—joy to the world indeed, a king is born. In the heart of Surulere, Santa DOE is in town this Boxing Day, sharing love and preaching the gospel of love.”
“Santa is sharing books,toys,chicken,rice and so many things that we are going to share to humanity and the people.
“Basically we are sharing love, we are trying to say that in the spirit of love it is not about the quantity it is about the sharing.
“It doesn’t matter what you have please give to your neighbour. Make sure you share according to the gospel which was the reason for which Jesus was born in the first place.
“That is why the song says- Joy to the world… We wish everybody a very merry Christmas and indeed a Happy new year in the year2026, that God will crown us with the spirit of grace, forgiveness for our incapability’s and mercy to our dear nation Nigeria.
“It doesn’t matter whether Christian, Moslem, we are here to share the love of God as we are all one under God.
“We’ve been doing this over the years because we’ve seen that sometimes some of these largesse, do not reach down to the grassroots so why don’t we take it there ourselves?
“Besides it is a way of bonding, connecting with the people and the communities and that is why we are here.
He counsel Nigerians to preach the message of patience, love, peace.
“There is nothing that conquers love, love conquers all as we move into the next year let’s learn to have the spirit of forgiveness for one another, what is live really, if we cannot forgive one another.
“Basically that is what we are preaching and let this message go round the whole world.”
One of the aged beneficiaries of the lawmaker’s largesse around Akerele Extension commended him for always reaching out to them during festive periods, giving bags of rice and groundnut oil, she noted that when they had challenge with electricity supply in their area, he was quick to come to their rescue to ensure the restoration of their power supply.
She, however, charged the lawmaker to continue the good works, which in her words have endeared the people to him.
At the Saint Anthony Catholic Church Gbaja Mr. Bennard one of the youths, who gathered to celebrate Christmas was quick to add that Santa DOE’s visit was an amazing experience which taught him that age is not a barrier in proclaiming the message of love.
“It is a very nice thing seeing him sharing gifts and joy we are very surprised.
“The message is about preaching love it is the season of Christmas, that is the essence of the period. It does not matter if you are young or old.”
In a chat with newsmen the Director General of Honourable Desmond Elliott’s Campaign Mr. Gabriel Omotosho disclosed that sharing of joy is a Surulere character which started since the Lawmaker assumption of office
“It started way back since his joining the political terrain, we have been doing Santa Claus, giving out gifts to less privileged both food and children Items that befits the moment.
“It is a period of giving, showing love, that is what he believes and have been doing over the years, so this year’s own is not an exception. If you go around you will see street carnivals here and there the lawmaker makes donations to all of them to ensure a joyful celebration, we are getting on well in Surulere.
“I will only urge our people that while we are rejoicing we should take caution, celebrate with modesty and not allow the joy of the moment to create problem within us.
“I wish everyone a prosperous new year, it will be a year of blessing, breakthrough, success, upliftment and we will continue to experience positive impacts of our able honourables that we have elected in Surulere, who have been doing very well, we pray that the year will be a great year for us in Surulere.” Omotosho prays.
The Medical Director of TopTee Medical Centre one of the facilitators Dr. Ototemi Oludayo who was part of the joy sharing Santa crew however, tasked Nigerians that as the year rolls by with all the festivities and merry making, they should be mindful of what they eat and drink so as not compromise their wellness.
Dr. Ototemi averred that the essence of the visit to children Christmas party’s all around Surulere and especially at Alapafuja and other areas of Shitta where the youths are gathering is to give health tips and make them merry with gifts like toys and other good items for the children in the spirit of the season.
