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Tag: Christmas

  • Christmas tragedies: Seven killed, 91 injured in Edo road crashes

    Seven persons have been confirmed dead in several road accidents that occurred across Edo State during the Christmas and Boxing Day celebrations.

    Some of the accidents were said to have occurred at night along the Benin-bye pass.

    A total of 91 persons were injured in the accidents.

    Edo State Sector Commander, Mr Samuel Odukoya, who disclosed this to newsmen on Wednesday advised motorists to be extra careful when driving at night.

    Odukoya said he deployed 1500 Special Marshals and 407 regular marshals to the highways to ensure safe driving.

    He urged motorists to always ensure their vehicles are in good condition and to avoid over speeding.

  • Christmas: Civil servants yet to resume duties after two days break

    As work resumes on Wednesday in the Federal Capital Territory, a visit to the Federal Secretariat, showed low turnout of workers.

    The federal government had declared December 25 and 26 as public holidays to mark the Christmas and Boxing Day celebrations.

    The News Agency of Nigeria correspondents who were at the secretariat in Abuja, observed that the secretariat which was usually a beehive of activities was virtually empty.

    NAN also reports that most offices were locked and a few members of the staff and cleaners were seen hanging around.

    Some workers who spoke to NAN attributed the low turnout of workers to the yuletide season as many people had travelled.

    Udochukwu Mgbeche of the Ministry Of Communication Technology told NAN that many workers were not in the office because they had travelled for different programme in their respective villages in spite of the fuel scarcity.

    “As you can see this is not what the secretariat used to be; it used to be a beehive of activities.

    “As you can see most of the offices are locked because many people have travelled despite the fuel scarcity.

    “I am in the office because I need to be here; I am not on leave, the public holiday is over. I came because it is my duty as a member staff to be in the office.’’

    Also, Femi Adewole from the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation, said though workers were yet to resume fully, he expressed optimism that workers will resume fully by New Year.

    “The office is not that full because a lot of people who travelled must have been stranded due to scarcity of fuel; I guess by January people would have returned and will resume work.

    “Personally, I have to be in the office even though there is no work for me to do; it is necessary I report to the office even if it means me sitting down in the office doing nothing.’’

    Similarly Chinwe Osita, a civil servant said that the fuel scarcity was a major hindrance for some workers.

    “It was difficult for me to come to the office today, transport fare has doubled. Before now I used to pay N100 from Mararaba axis to town, now the fare is N200.

    “This means I have to spend nothing less than N500 when you include my bike fare to and fro the bus stop.

    “By January many people would have returned and work will resume fully.’’

    A visit to the National Hospital also showed that health workers were fully on ground to attend to patients.

    Enyioma Aja, a matron at the hospital told NAN that work was in progress as many patients took their turns to see the doctors.

    “As you can see I am very busy. For we health workers, there is no holiday because we have to attend to the sick who come in every day.

    “In spite the fuel scarcity we have to do everything humanly possible to report for duty.”

    (NAN)

  • Christmas and the demonisation of Christ, By Bobson Gbinje

    Christmas and the demonisation of Christ, By Bobson Gbinje

    “Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned

    Nor Hell a fury like a woman scorned.”

    (The Morning Bride – William Congreve)

    By Bobson Gbinje

    Jesus Christ is the authentic Messiah and unblemished signet on the escutcheon of all Christians. He is the generalissimo of the cosmogony and the dymistifier of the tetragramation. Although the exact date of his birth remain scripturally hazy. But the commemoration of the birth of the great son of the living God, the Prince of Peace is fundamentally obligatory and critically crucial for all Christians. The total veneration of the messianic quintessence on December 25th, January 6th by some and 1st October by others is in recognition of the Bethlehemic Zeitgeist and the spiritual élan of all Christians and non-Christians alike.

    But the bacchanalian orgies, unthinkable licentiousness, Dionysian exuberance, moral depravity, hideous consumerism and sexual escapades which has characterized Charismas celebrations for ages, glaringly shows that, there is the complete demonization of Christianity and Christ. Hence, the Indian and Hindu statesman Mohandas Gandhi said “I have never been able to reconcile myself to the debaucheries of the Charismas season. They have appeared to me to be so inconsistent with the life and teaching of Jesus Christ”. Yet, Jesus Christ remains the reason for the Christmas season,

    Some hypocritical but wealthy Christians carry their teratoid Christmas theatrics so far that they go as far as Bethlehem or Jerusalem to celebrate their Christmas and back it up with a pilgrimage later. Jesus lived a humble and self-effacing life. He told a Samaritan woman who centered her worship at Gerizim, a mountain north in Jerusalem: “Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you people worship the father”.

    Nevertheless, the hour is coming and it is now, when the true worshiper will worship the father with spirit and truth, for indeed the father is looking for such like ones to worship him” (John 4:21-23), Christianity and Christmas are completely sunken in the ways of secular humanism and wickedness. They incarnate satanic idiosyncrasies that have completely demonized Christ and all what he stood for. Christians can no more vouch for their faith and have no moral locus standi to parade themselves as soldiers of the cross. What a shame!

    Under gruesome Catechization by Pontius Pilate Jesus Christ firmly asserted that “my kingdom is no part of this world, if my kingdoms were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be delivered up to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from this source”, but so called Christians proclaim the heavenly kingdom and still embody all the rat race of demonic sortilege, spiritual wickedness, pride, envy, greed, oppression, treachery and covetousness.

    Christians in position of authority and leadership do not know what it is to serve and be servants of the people, like Christ demonstrated. They are cocooned in the shameful oubliette of corruption and graft. Christians in the churches, business places, politics, professions and evangelical mission have successfully philistanised and demonized Christ and his teaching. The ethos of Christmas is lost in the thicket of hypocrisy. There is utter christlessness in man. Hence, the essayist William James (1842-1910) position that “man biologically considered that whatever else he may be into the bargain, is the most formidable of all the beast of prey and indeed the only one that preys systematically on its own kind.” What a shame that God’s own creation man has become a treacherous and degenerate beast to man and his creator.

    Jesus Christ is the first born of all creation and the only begotten son of the causeless cause of causes, Jehovah God. He is the second greatest authority in the universe. This son of God was sent by His father, God Almighty to give life as a sacrificial ransom for mankind thus opening the way to eternal life for Adam’s offspring that will exercise faith in God. The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is the legality of the indemnity. After the crucifixation of Jesus Christ, He ascended into Heaven and is now restored to heavenly glory and rules as king with authority to destroy all the wicked and to fulfill God’s original plan on earth. Does he not deserve true honour?

    In Hebrew the word Jesus means “Jehovah is salvation”, whilst Christ called, Mashiach or Messiah means the “Anointed one”. Jesus Christ the anointed one is not just a vague sham. He is a historical, spiritual and vibrant personality who existed amongst men and carried out palpably tangible acts for all to see. There is no personality and no name that transcends the totality of the universe than the name of Jesus Christ. He is worthy of honour and commemoration. He is truly really deserving of praises and adoration. He is indeed the height of pulchritude and the finest thing that ever happened to mankind. He deserves all the glory.

    But, are men really giving Him all the glory? Has He not been consigned to the cesspit of nothingness by our depraved conduct, through the apotheosization of the money, the worshipping of power, certificates and titles? Do we still appreciate his sacrifice and abnegation for us? How do our debaucherous proclivities during Christmas tell on his integrity? Is Christmas a season forGodlessness and Christlessness? Are our Christian leaders now the contemporary antichrist and apostle? Will the gospel of Jesus Christ survive given the dwarfishness of our evangelical zeal? And will mankind survive the libidinous holocaust?

    Finally, mankind is luxuriating in the St. Vitus Dance and treading on the epicenter of a precipitous precipice. We are running against time. We must make a great dramatic turn around. We are living in the perilous time and we need no ghost to tell us to turn to Jesus Christ. We cannot through our base conduct during Christians and after Christmas demonise Christ for darkness cannot overwhelm light. He has done His bit the rest is left for us to be Christ complaint. As we celebrate Christmas, let us spare a thought for the less privileged amongst us and refocus on the need to serve God and truly honour Jesus Christ. Let us rekindle the spirit of solicitude Rei socialize (concern for the social order). Happy Xmas.

     

    CHIEF BOBSON GBINIJE

    08023250378

    MANDATE AGAINST POVERTY (MAP)

    WARRI.

  • Saraki, Dogara, Tinubu, Governors, others preach love, tolerance at Christmas

    Some Nigerian leaders on Monday (Christmas day) advised Nigerians especially the Christians to emulate the sacrificial life of Christ by demonstrating love and tolerance towards each other to achieve a better Nigeria.

    The President of the Nigerian Senate, Bukola Saraki, said the season affords Nigerians the opportunity to pray and work towards a greater Nigeria.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, Mr. Saraki also urged Christians to use the festive occasion to pray for unity, peace and prosperity of Nigeria.

    He called on Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the service of humanity in line with the true teachings of Jesus Christ which emphasises tolerance, patience, brotherly kindness, care for the needy and love for one another, among other virtues.

    “The yuletide season presents us an opportunity once more to love, share and forgive. I urge all Nigerians to utilise the period to pray for unity, peace and prosperity in the nation.

    “We must also rededicate ourselves to the true virtues of faith in God, love for one another, honesty and peaceful co-existence. It is time to make these virtues more evident and practical in our daily lives,” Mr. Saraki said.

    Similarly, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, urged Nigerians, particularly Christians, to spread love to their neighbours and remember the underprivileged as they celebrate Christmas.

    In a statement to mark Christmas, Mr. Dogara said Jesus Christ was an embodiment of sacrificial love.

    He said when Nigerians begin to exhibit unconditional love to one another, the impact will bring about a positive change that will lead to unity and development which will move the nation forward.

    “As we celebrate the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, let us all remember that it is a time to spread the love of Christ with family, friends, neighbours and the underprivileged in the society

    “We should bear in mind that the greatest command Jesus gave to his followers is to love one another. Not only does this have spiritual benefits, it will also make Nigeria a better place because love overcomes all things including hatred, violence and other vices,” he said.

    Also, the Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode, felicitated with Nigerians, particularly Christians at the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

    Mr. Ambode in a statement by his chief press secretary, Habib Aruna, urged Nigerians to use the period of Christmas to rekindle acts of love, kindness to one another and to the vulnerable in the society.

    He said the season symbolises love, care and compassion for persons, especially the weak, vulnerable and less-privileged.

    “This season is another opportunity to increase our acts of kindness and touch the less privileged in our society,” he said.

    Also in a statement by his spokesperson, the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, in his Christmas message, urged Nigerians to pray and support their leaders as they strive to find lasting solution to the myriad of challenges confronting the nation

    Mr. Tambuwal also called on Nigerians to continue to reflect on positive tenets that unite the nation and strengthen the polity.

    “This period calls for introspection and continued prayers for our dear nation.

    “On behalf of the people and Government of Sokoto State, I wish all Nigerians, especially those of Christian faith, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ahead,” he said.

    The Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, congratulated Nigerians on the occasion of this year’s Christmas, saying it is a season to celebrate peaceful co-existence and show love to one another.

    The governor’s message was contained in a statement on Sunday in Asaba by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu. He tasked Christians to offer special prayers during the yuletide for greater peace, love, unity, peaceful co-existence and progress of Nigeria.

    “I call on all Christians; indeed, all Deltans and all residents in Delta State, to reflect on the virtues and teachings of Jesus Christ in their lives and activities so that Nigeria and indeed the world would be a better place for all of us.

    “I wish all Deltans and indeed all Nigerians, a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year in advance as I pray for the warmth of God’s love to fill every heart and home,” he said.

    The Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, In a press statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Francis Agbo, urged Nigerians to live a Christ-like life, which he noted was a life of sacrifice, selfless service, love and forgiveness.

    He called on Nigerians to use the Christmas celebration to intensify prayers for the peace and security of the state and the nation in general.

    Mr. Dickson also called on political leaders to emulate Jesus Christ, who used his ministry for the good of all, by using their offices to advance the cause of the ordinary people.

    “Service to man is service to God; he that serves man well, serves God well,” he said.

    The Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, urged Christians to exhibit the spirit of peace, love and forgiveness, all through the Christmas celebration and beyond.

    Mr. Amosun in a Christmas message by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Adedayo Adeneye, noted that these were the values that Jesus Christ preached and exhibited all through his sojourn on earth.

    “As we mark the Christmas, all true Christians must remember the reason for the season as well as the person, whose birth we are celebrating, who is Jesus Christ,” he said.

    Similarly, former Governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, in a Christmas message urged Nigerians to keep their hope alive despite challenges facing the nation and the world at large.

    He stated this in a statement signed by his media aid, Ayomide Giwa, where he asked Christians and Nigerians to rediscover themselves and dedicate themselves to love.

    “Christmas was the time to rediscover and rededicate ourselves to love, peace, unity, equity and justice.

    “The lessons of humility, selflessness, love and simplicity learnt from the birth of Jesus, should be our guiding principles,” he said.

    The Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor, called on Nigerians to celebrate this year’s Christmas with love and trust.

    He urged Christians to celebrate beyond mere merriment of the yuletide by abiding in Jesus Christ whom he described as the reason for the season.

    Mr. Umahi called on Christians to use the solemnity of the remembrance of Jesus symbolised by Christmas to show love and accommodation to every other tribe and faith as demonstrated by Christ.

    The Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, in his Christmas message enjoined Nigerians to shower cash and gifts on the less-privileged this festive season to enable vulnerable compatriots have a feel of Christmas celebration.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Yomi Layinka, the governor urged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of true love and sacrifice which the life and times of Jesus Christ epitomised.

    Mr. Ajimobi urged Christians to use the opportunity of the season to pray for the country’s economic turnaround and political leaders to surmount the challenges assailing the country.

    “I congratulate our Christian brothers and sisters on the Christmas celebration.”

    “As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, I enjoin all to imbibe the spirit of true love and sacrifice for one another.”

    In his Christmas message, a national leader of the All Progressives Congress and former governor of Lagos, Bola Tinubu, urged Nigerians to learn from the example of Jesus Christ “who faced and overcame the greatest evil” by uniting to overcome our challenges

    He also called for support for President Muhammadu Buhari so that the country can overcome its current challenges.

    “Today, Christmas Day, is one of the most precious days of the year for it celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Be you Christian, Muslim or just a human being with a soul that yearns for peace, compassion and hope, Jesus Christ belongs to all of us. His teachings are universal in application and speak of truths eternal”

    “This Christmas, let us acknowledge his birth but let us also give that acknowledgement its fullest meaning by recognizing how Jesus lived and what he lived for. He reached out to all. Jesus fed the poor and healed the sick. He spread compassion and charity and preached love and justice. There are no finer aims than these and we can do no better than to do all we can to follow his example,” Mr. Tinubu said.

     

     

  • 2017 Christmas is worst ever celebrated in Nigeria – PDP

    The main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has given reasons why this year’s Christmas is the worst Nigerians have ever celebrated.

    The party further called on people of the country not to despair but to use the occasion to show love, care and encourage one another regardless of religious, ethnic and political inclinations.

    Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, said this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday.

    He said, “Indeed, this is the worst Yuletide ever. There is no way one can sugarcoat the fact that the anguish Nigerians face today is because of the incompetence of the APC Government, which has also amply demonstrated that it does not care about the welfare and happiness of the citizens.

    “Our country’s economic situation has astronomically gone from bad to worse in the last two years and painfully, there is no hope in sight under this APC regime.

    “Nigerians have become ravaged by economic hardship because the APC-led Federal Government has abandoned them and refused to channel the abundant resources available in the nation for the good of the people.

    Instead, they are heartlessly diverting such resources for their selfish political purposes while the people suffer.

    “These horrendous realities imposed on us by the APC notwithstanding, we must not become despondent.

    “We must, therefore, rise above all divisive ethnic, religious and political considerations and make this season merry by helping and encouraging one another in love.

    “The ugly situation we all confront today as a people must serve as the catalyst for a prosperous tomorrow as Nigerians join hands with the PDP to restore our dear nation to the path of good governance and national prosperity come 2019.”

  • President Buhari’s 2017 Christmas message to the nation

    Dear Compatriots,

    I felicitate with all Nigerians, particularly our Christian brothers and sisters, on the occasion of this year’s Christmas day celebration.

    The commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ is an important opportunity for us to show love to one another and encourage unity by spending quality time with our friends, families and the less-privileged.

    It is also an occasion to draw inspiration from the exemplary lifestyle and teachings of Jesus Christ, who constantly stood for what is right, true and honest.

    The Holy Book describes Christmas as a festival of peace, joy, healing, hope and fulfilment. It kindles great expectations in the heart, irrespective of the challenges of the moment.

    As we celebrate this Yuletide season, let us devote some time to pray and appreciate the sacrifices of members of our armed services to keep our nation safe and secure.

    By the same token, and keeping with the spirit of the season, our gallant troops serving in the frontlines in the fight against insurgency; those wounded, lying in the hospital, as well as civilians who have suffered the brunt of evil and wicked elements these past years, deserve our fervent goodwill and sustained prayers.

    The personal fortitude of these individuals will continue to inspire us to victory as we turn the tide against the enemy and annihilate those who work against the unity of our nation.

    In this season of hope, let us remember to provide refuge to those who cannot enjoy Christmas at home with their families, or have been driven from their homes by insurgency or violence, particularly the Internally Displaced Persons.

    Lately, we have witnessed an upsurge in the activities of trans-border syndicates who lure our youths to modern slavery through irregular migration. While we have stepped up our efforts to halt this wickedness against the upwardly mobile generation, and have evacuated some of our compatriots stranded abroad, we appeal to them to shun the allure of embarking on such perilous journeys.

    I am deeply convinced that better days lie ahead for us as a nation as we make progress on all the major fronts where we have set our energies to surmount the challenges.

    I wish you all Happy Christmas celebrations.

    Muhammadu Buhari

  • Don’t accept wrapped gifts from strangers during yuletide, CP counsels Nigerians

    Commissioner of Police in Niger, Mr Dibal Yakadi, on Saturday advised Nigerians against accepting wrapped gifts from strangers during the Christmas and New Year festivities.

     

    Yakadi, who gave the advice in Minna in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said such gifts could turn out to be parcel bombs and be dangerous if opened.

     

    He also urged the people to be security conscious, especially while attending public functions during and after festivities.

     

    He disclosed that the command had already taken proactive security measures to deal with threats to peace before, during and after the Yuletide.

     

    ‘‘We will continue to utilise the avenues of intelligence-led policing, community, visibility policing as well as constant intelligence-led raid on criminal hideouts,’’ he said.

     

    He called on residents to provide useful information on suspicious movements of people, saying this would assist security officials to apprehend criminals at the planning stages of their activities.

     

    “We are battle ready to deal with any form of security threats to enable people celebrate the festivities in a peaceful atmosphere,’’ he said.

     

    He urged officers and men of the command to continue to put in their best as hard working ones would be rewarded, while the indolent personnel would be sanctioned accordingly.

     

    Lagosians now pay taxes voluntarily — Ambode

     

  • Christmas: Sultan felicitates with Christians, urges peaceful coexistence

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Abubakar, has felicitated with Nigerian Christians on the occasion of the 2017 Christmas celebrations.

    This was contained in a statement signed by the Deputy Secretary General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Salisu Shehu on Friday.

    The statement said, “Christmas, which marks the commemoration of the birth of Prophet Isa (Jesus Christ) –peace be upon him-, should inspire love, compassion and kindness and these are virtuous attributes and characters that all believers are enjoined to imbibe.

    “As you celebrate this important event, the Muslim community in Nigeria wishes you God’s guidance and abundant blessings.”

    It also encouraged Christian believers to continue to preach the gospel of unity, understanding, peaceful co-existence and development.

    “We, therefore, wish to use this opportunity to urge our Christian compatriots to make the best use of this season to pray fervently for our dear country, Nigeria that we can continue to live together peacefully so that we prosper as a nation.

    “For these reasons, all believers in Him (Jesus Christ) have an obligation to stand for justice, equity and fairness to all oppressed people in this country and the world over,” the statement said.

    Recall that Federal Government on Wednesday declared Monday, December 26, and Tuesday, 27 as public holidays to mark the Christmas and Boxing Day celebration.

    The government also declared Monday, January 2, 2017 as public holiday to mark the New Year.

     

  • Seasons greetings from Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, wife Dolapo

    Vice President of Nigeria Yemi Osinbajo and his wife Dolapo Osinbajo have shared lovely photos in the spirit of Christmas.

    The photos show the couple with Christmas hats on their heads as they stand beside a Christmas tree.

    The Vice President captured the photos on his page with “Merry Christmas and may 2018 be your best year yet.” while Dolapo Osinbajo captioned the photos with “Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you!

  • Season of Colour! Fulani Fashion Unveils Holiday Fashion Illustrations

    With the festive season well and truly upon us, Fulani fashion has unveiled its holiday fashion illustration depicting their latest collection Quiet Storm to make a sparkling, joyful and relaxed entrance into the holiday season.

    The colourful illustrations created by Janin Figuli-Matyus which was inspired by the Quiet Storm collection and the holiday are beautiful adventure in fashion, with other sweet designs like wrapped gift boxes, Christmas tree, festive decorations and Santa which signifies a symbol of love and giving.

    No doubt about it Christmas is our most favorite time of the year! May the holiday season bring you love, joy and abundance of happiness.

    Credits:

    Designer: @fulanifashion

    Illustrator: @janin.f

    Publicist: @moafricapr