Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Sunday, described the message of redemption Christmas brings as a relief for himself, Nigerians and all of humanity.
This was just as members of a Muslim group, popularly called the Shiites, attended a Christmas service at one of the largest denominations in Zaria, Kaduna State, on Sunday as a sign of love and efforts to strengthen religious tolerance.
The PUNCH reports that Christmas is an annual Christian festival, held on December 25 to celebrate Jesus Christ’s birth.
“So it’s a celebration of joy and a great relief. That’s why it’s called the good news. If you are told that someone has paid for all of your sins, and your sins are numerous, as mine are, that is wonderful news. That’s my message Osinbajo said shortly after a Christmas Day Service held at the Aso Villa Chapel, where he had preached the sermon.
Earlier in the service, Osinbajo spoke on the topic “The Birth of the New Covenant.”
The Chaplain of the Aso Rock Presidential Chapel, Pastor Joseph Malomo, said despite the negative economic forecast, “Nigerians should rest assured that God is on their side.”
Shiites attend Christmas service
A Muslim group, popularly called the Shiites, attended a Christmas church service at one of the largest denominations in Zaria, Kaduna State, on Sunday as a sign of love and efforts to strengthen religious tolerance.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports the prayer session as held at the Church of Brethren in Nigeria, (Ekkelisiyar `Yan Uwa Ta Nigeria), Samaru, Sabon Gari, Zaria, Kaduna State.
The group also presented a gift to the church to further foster love and boost religious tolerance between the two faiths.
Speaking to newsmen after the service, the leader of the team, Prof. Isah Mshelgaru, said the essence of attending the service was to rejoice with Christians on the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
“Islam says if someone is not your brother in faith, he is your brother in humanity, and we share this humanity with everybody, whether Muslim, Christian or whatever,” he said.
Similarly, the Resident Pastor, EYN Church, Samaru, Zaria, Rev. Tijjani Chindo, noted that the church received the Muslims with joy and appealed for the replication of the gesture across the country.
Pope speaks
Meanwhile, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, earlier on Saturday, rebuked those who are extremely hungry for wealth and power to the detriment of others, while asking them to imitate the Christian deity, Jesus Christ, who, according to biblical records, was poor during his time on Earth.
Recalling Jesus’ birth in a stable, Pope Francis rebuked those “ravenous” for wealth and power at the expense of the vulnerable, including children, in a Christmas Eve homily decrying war, poverty, and greedy consumerism, Associated Press reports from the Vatican City.
Onitsha prison inmates
The Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha and Metropolitan of the Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, celebrated Christmas with over 800 inmates at the Onitsha Correctional Centre in Anambra State on Sunday.
Okeke also took advantage of the occasion to commemorate his 69th birthday.
In his homily during the Holy Mass that took place at the St. Maximilian Kolbe Chapel, Onitsha Correctional Centre, the Archbishop enjoined the inmates to put their faith in God and always pray and hope for a better future.
Keep hope alive
The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, urged Nigerians to keep hope alive, considering that the darkest hour precedes daybreak.
Ayu disclosed this in his Christmas message to Nigerians on Sunday in Abuja.
He also paid tribute to the patience of long-suffering Nigerians and reminded them that this was their last Christmas celebration under the All Progressives Congress.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Simon Imobo-Tswam, entitled “The Light at the End of the Dark Tunnel,” he said 2023 presents the citizens with the golden opportunity to redirect the course of their history via their voter cards.
Delta APC, PDP
The All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Delta State, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, and the candidate of the PDP in the state, Sheriff Oborevwori, implored their followers and the entire population of Delta to embrace peace as they celebrate Christmas.
These were contained in the Christmas messages from the duo issued from their campaign offices, respectively.
The Delta APC Governorship Campaign Council, in a statement signed by the Director of Communications and Media Strategy, Ima Niboro, “urged Deltans and Nigerians to, at Christmas, seek peace with all men.”
FCT Minister
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Muhammad Bello, felicitated with residents while urging peace and unity in the territory.
The minister’s Christmas message addressed to residents on Sunday, partly said, “On behalf of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, I wish to express my warm felicitations to all residents of the Federal Capital Territory, especially the Christian faithful, on the joyous celebration of Christmas. The season of Christmas, which commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, is synonymous with love for humanity, charity, peaceful coexistence, and unity.”
