TheNewsGuru

Tag: yuletide

  • Police ban firecrackers, vow to deal with violators, sellers this Yuletide

    Police ban firecrackers, vow to deal with violators, sellers this Yuletide

    Violators, including sellers and users of firecrackers and fireworks, will be subject to arrest and prosecution under the law.

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has banned the use of firecrackers, popularly known as knockouts during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

    The Public Relations Officer of the FCT command, SP Josephine Adeh, who made this known in a statement issued on Saturday said the ban would be implemented to ensure the safety of all residents of FCT and to protect lives and property throughout the festive season.

    Adeh said the Commissioner of Police of the FCT command, Olatunji Disu, said that the ban became imperative because the use of firecrackers and fireworks can lead to unnecessary panic and anxiety within the city.

    “Additionally, they present significant risks, including fire hazards and other preventable incidents.

    Violators, including sellers and users of firecrackers and fireworks, will be subject to arrest and prosecution under the law.

    “Community leaders and residents are encouraged to raise awareness about the potential dangers associated with these items,” the police added.

    The police called on the residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities or violations of the directive to the Police using the emergency numbers: 08032003913; 08061581938 and 07057337653.

  • Police ban knockouts, firecrackers ahead of Yuletide

    Police ban knockouts, firecrackers ahead of Yuletide

    Ahead of Christmas celebrations, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has banned the use of firecrackers and knockouts in the capital city.

    Olatunji Disu, the FCT Commissioner of Police disclosed that the ban was to ensure the safety of all residents.

    A statement from SP Josephine Adeh, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, stated that the ban was to protect lives and property through the festive season.

    Disu, who assured that the Command is committed to maintaining law and order during this festive period, explained that the use of the items could lead to unnecessary panic and anxiety within the community, noting that they present significant risks.

    “The FCT Police Command warns against the use of firecrackers (knockouts) during the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations. This ban is implemented to ensure the safety of all residents and to protect lives and property throughout the festive season.

    “The use of these items can lead to unnecessary panic and anxiety within the community. Additionally, they present significant risks, including fire hazards and other preventable incidents.

    “Violators, including sellers and users of firecrackers and fireworks, will be subject to arrest and prosecution under the law. Community leaders and residents are encouraged to raise awareness about the potential dangers associated with these items,” he said.

    He encouraged everyone to celebrate responsibly, wishing all a peaceful and joyful Christmas and New Year.

  • Wike sends strong message to Abuja criminals ahead of yuletide

    Wike sends strong message to Abuja criminals ahead of yuletide

    Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has vowed to deal with criminals in the nation’s capital this season.

    TheNewsGuru.com(TNG) reports that the former Rivers governor while inaugurating the construction of a 15-kilometre road from Abuja to Lokoja Expressway (A2) to Pai in the Kwali Area Council of the FCT disclosed the various plans that have been put to fight crime this yuletide.

    According to the minister, they had just concluded the distribution of additional operational vehicles to security agencies to enable them, deal with criminals, ensuring they have no hiding place.

    The minister further commended security agencies for their ongoing efforts to improve the security situation in the city centre and the area councils.

    He said, “This will make sure that criminals will not have any breathing space in the FCT as far as this December is concerned.

    “We will make sure they will not have anywhere to hide. 

    “So, I thank you for the job you are doing.” 

  • Yuletide: Lagos Government to mark celebrations with 72-hours non – stop entertainment for Lagosians

    Yuletide: Lagos Government to mark celebrations with 72-hours non – stop entertainment for Lagosians

    Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, has unveiled plans to hold a 72-hour Greater Lagos Fiesta – a non-stop entertainment show beginning from the 29th of December, 2023 to the early hours of 1st January, 2024.

    The three-day end-of-the-year event is part of activities conceived to herald the Y2024 with an anticipated number of participants of over 25,000 who will be thrilled with different types of entertainment including cultural performances, and children’s corners, amongst others.

    The State Commissioner for Tourism, Art and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, who made this known on Friday at a news conference in Ikeja said that the Ministry will use the annual end-of-the-year event to also market its beach potential.

    According to her, the grand finale which was usually held at Eko Atlantic City would now be held at Sol Beach in Iru-land as a way of exposing the State’s rich beachfront potential to fun lovers and tourists.

    She added that interested participants who still want to join the countdown event at the Eko Atlantic City venue would be provided with a large viewing screen where the activities at the Sol Beach can be transmitted live, in addition to a dedicated channel on DSTV that would stream the event activities throughout the three days.

    The Commissioner, alongside the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mr. Idris Aregbe, and Permanent Secretary Mrs. Oloruntoyin Atekoja, also assured participants of adequate security at all the designated venues of the countdown event.

    She said: “We have put a lot in place for security, we are working actively with all security apparatus of the state, the Nigeria Police, DSS, Civil Defence, LASTM and Neighbourhood Watch, among other security operators in the state.

    “The Lagos Countdown 2024, #Greater Lagos Fiesta, has become an annual tradition, a celebration of music, entertainment, and the vibrant spirit of Lagos. This year, we are taking the event to a whole new level, with three days of non-stop excitement from December 29, 2023, to January 1, 2024.

    “We are intentional in our focus of deliberately positioning Lagos State to favourably compete with developed cities of the world in terms of hosting tourism and entertainment events”, she added.

    While noting that the annual fiesta has over the years proven to be a very engaging and mind-blowing event, providing fun activities and entertainment for Lagosians in their various localities across the five IBILE divisions of the state, the Commissioner maintained that the event is beyond just a musical show or fun event.

    In her words: “Let me emphasise that this event is not just about the music. The end-of-the-year countdown, #Greater Lagos Fiesta, will also showcase the best of our local cuisine, arts and crafts, and traditional performances. Participants will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the sights, sounds, and flavours that make Lagos such a unique and vibrant city.

    “The Lagos Countdown 2024 (#Greater Lagos Fiesta), will continue to serve the purpose of discovering and nurturing new talents, exposing young talented entertainers to bigger platforms while also serving as a mechanism for curbing youth restiveness that often characterises the festive period”, her words.

    She affirmed that the three-day event, apart from showcasing the cultural activities and nurturing up-coming talented youngsters in the entertainment and creative industry, will also positively impact the State’s economy through massive sales of goods and services to thousands of fun and entertainment lovers throughout the event.

    She listed the venues of the event to include Badagry Grammar School in Badagry, Agege Stadium, Agege, Ikorodu Town Hall Ikorodu, Sol Beach Oniru and Epe Recreational Centre, Epe.

    “We have lined up an incredible array of music stars who will grace the stage and thrill all fun lovers from Badagry to Epe, Ikorodu, Lagos Island, and Ikeja featuring homegrown talents to international sensations, the best of Afro Beats, Highlife, Juju and Fuji’’, the Commissioner stated.

    Toke Benson-Awoyinka also revealed that interested corporate sponsors ready to collaborate with the State Government to make the event a success are welcome.

  • Yuletide: Police bans use of fireworks, bangers

    Yuletide: Police bans use of fireworks, bangers

    The FCT Police Command has warned residents against the use of knockouts, fireworks and firecrackers in the territory during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

    This was made known via a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Josephine Adeh, the Command said knockouts and fireworks have the capacity of causing panic or apprehension in the general public.

    The Commissioner of Police, CP Haruna Garba, reiterated his commitment to ensuring the safety of all residents of the nation’s capital.

    The statement also revealed that the Command has deployed officers to strategic places in the capital city to ensure a crime free Christmas celebration.

    According to the statement, the deployment is characterized by “visibility policing at various places of worship and event centres, and raids on identified black spots, uncompleted buildings/shanties, stop and search, vehicular/foot patrol and inter-agency cooperation”.

  • Yuletide: Presidential aspirant urges Christians to emulate the love of Christ

    Yuletide: Presidential aspirant urges Christians to emulate the love of Christ

    Mr Dumebi Kachikwu, African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, has urged Christians to emulate Christ in showing love to others while celebrating Christmas.

    Kachikwu said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

    He said that as Christians were celebrating the Christmas festivity it was important for them to extend the love of Christ to others by sending gifts to friend and loved ones, especially to those of different faiths.

    “As over 2 billion people across the world celebrate the birth of Christ, we are reminded of the reason for this season.

    “His birth signified renewed hope for mankind in the possibility of a second chance.

    “The birth of Christ was the beginning of a journey of love to redeem mankind.

    “I urge all Christian faithful to remember and emulate the love of he who redeemed them because our nation is in dire need of love,” he said.

    Kachikwu urged Nigerians to renew their hopes and faiths in project Nigeria,saying, ”because this is what our faith calls for.

    “The task of nation building can only be done with a heart of love and with faith and hope in a better tomorrow.”

    Kachikwu added that Nigeria would only come alive: ”If everyone learned to love each other and live peaceably with one another.”

  • AIG assures Sokoto residents of security during Yuletide season

    AIG assures Sokoto residents of security during Yuletide season

    The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 10 Headquarters, Sokoto, AIG Bello Dalijan, has reassured residents in Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states that efforts to prevent crime and improve public safety will continue during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

    In compliance with the Inspector-General of Police’s order, Dalijan has instructed the commissioners of police and tactical commanders in the zone to strengthen security during the holiday season and beyond to prevent any incidents.

    The AIG urged and advised that supervisory CPs in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states with their respective area commanders should ensure adequate deployment of officers and assets to prevent crimes as well as build confidence in the citizens.

    The police boss charged officers to engage in critical assessment of threat prone areas, thorough stop and search, raids on black spots and other anti-crime strategies capable of sustaining peace and public safety in the zone. The AIG further warned that personnel deployed must be professional and mindful of the fundamental human rights of the citizens, and discharge their responsibilities with all sense of decorum and alertness.

    AIG Dalijan also used the opportunity to advise politicians within the zone to play according to the rules and ensure peaceful electioneering campaigns while also admonishing parents not to allow their children to be used as political thugs in the forthcoming elections. He assured the general public that the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the IGP had put all security mechanisms in place to ensure peaceful conduct of the 2023 general election.

    The AIG Zone 10, while congratulating the Christian faithful in the zone and the country in general, enjoined them to celebrate and enjoy the beauty of the Christmas season while remaining security conscious. He equally urged them to report all suspicious individuals, movements, or activities to the police for prompt intervention as he admonished them to cooperate with men of the Police and other sister security agencies deployed to duty at strategic places for the Christmas/New Year celebrations across the zone.”

  • Merry Christmas – By Francis Ewherido

    Merry Christmas – By Francis Ewherido

    By Francis Ewherido

    Tomorrow is Christmas, the celebration of the birthday of Jesus Christ. I have said it a few times in this column that some people still disagree on the actual day that Jesus was born. I have never been interested in that discussion. All Christians agree that God the father sent his only begotten son Jesus to come into the world in human form to save the world. He did come through Mary, his mother, with Joseph as foster father. That is what is important. Commemorate it whenever it suits you, but just leave the rest of us to celebrate ours tomorrow, December 25. Live and let’s live. 

    Many Nigerians are not going to eat the traditional rice and chicken this Christmas because prices of food items have skyrocketed beyond their reach. I empathise with such people and families. In my younger days, I would have been inconsolable, but I scarcely eat rice these days. While I sympathise with those who cannot afford it, they have to be grateful to God that they are alive. Not everyone who celebrated the New Year at the beginning of 2022 is here to celebrate Christmas tomorrow. I have seen obituaries of people who died on December 24. They prepared for Christmas, but never celebrated it. Some who will celebrate tomorrow might not enter the New Year in eight days’ time. 

    Chief Johnson Barovbe, a great man of many paths and an accomplished educationist (he preferred to be called a teacher or educationist), had a father-son relationship with me. The last time I saw him alive was in September 2021 in London. We spoke at length on what we wanted to do in the last quarter of 2021 and in 2022. We agreed to meet on our return to Nigeria. He did return to Nigeria and celebrated Christmas surrounded by many people as usual. By December 27, two days after Christmas, he died suddenly. It was by the grace of God that I escaped from the fowler’s snare. I would also not have seen 2022. 

    I know you have not met your targets, you still have not gotten a job, you are still unmarried and you do not have a car or personal house. But you are alive, celebrate with joy this Christmas and hope; be merry, be happy and pray for a better tomorrow. Don’t just sit in one corner and bemoan. You have no idea what others are going through. By the special grace of God, you will live to see many more Christmas celebrations. 

    For some time Christmas now, my Christmas has essentially been having the immediate family and sometimes the larger family together. Last year was different. I spent my Christmas all alone with family members thousands of kilometres away. I couldn’t even see my wife who was in town with me due to COVID-19 restrictions. Now we are all together under the same roof. Onajite (that is enough). I have not bothered to ask my wife whether there is still rice and other food items in the house. The family is together and that is all that matters. That is my Merry Christmas. 

    Christmas is a time for merriment. When I was young, Christmas without Christmas clothes, complemented with cheap sun glasses and wristwatches that were not functional, was incomplete. These mean nothing to many young people in the cities these days. I do not know how it is in the villages. 

    For some people, Christmas is a time to live a life of debauchery, engage in drunkenness, sexual promiscuity and engage in crime to raise money to meet up with the Joneses. All na Christmas celebration for them. But we all know the real essence of Christmas: LOVE, love for God and love for neighbour. If you are able, buy rice and other food items for those who need them, wonderful. If you do not have the resources, send your Christmas wishes, call those you can call. Not everyone will appreciate gestures that have no financial value. Poverty and misplacement of priorities have poisoned our reasoning. I do not bother myself about people’s lack of appreciation. How God sees my actions is what matters. Merry Christmas. 

    HAPPY 80TH BIRTHDAY, UNCLE J

    Omiragua John Aaron Okenabirhie, an Effurun-based business man and industrialist, is 80 years today. I have been hearing of Uncle J since the 70s before I met him in the 80s. Sometimes, in the 70s, when we travelled from Ozoro to Warri, when we got to Effurun at Glorylux Venetian Blinds Company, my father would proudly tell us, “You see that company, it is owned by a son of Ewhu (my hometown). I am far older than he is o, but he is very rich.” If my father were alive, he would have been 96 years, so you understand why he said “mi vieren gangan” (I am much older than he is). The age difference between Uncle J and my father was 16 years, while Uncle J is more than 20 years older than I am, but he prefers to call me “my brother.”

     I love Uncle J for his humility and simplicity. He comes to church on Sundays tying wrappers (Ankara) that costs not more than N3,000 and tops ( kolapa) done with materials of about N500 per yard, complemented with  a bead of about N2,000, not coral beads that now costs hundreds of thousands and even millions of Naira. 

    He refused to take a chieftaincy title and prefers the prefix of Omiragua (Mister). You will not appreciate this if you are not Urhobo or Isoko. In Urhoboland, the eldest person on a table during events breaks the kolanuts and shares the wedge (money). If a host refuses to wedge kolanut, it is a mark of enormous disrespect. Some guests will not even touch the kolanut because they are (“emuvwie”) freeborn people, not slaves. These days, virtually everybody is a chief (olorogun). If your son’s age mate who is an olorogun is sharing a table with you, he wants to break the kolanut instead of you, the older person. They call it tradition.

    There has been pressure on me to take a chieftaincy title for a while. I even got two (one in Imo State), but refused to formalise them. When the insults of younger people breaking kolanuts where I am present got to me, I wanted to take the titles, but my wife, mother and siblings were not impressed. I consulted with Uncle J on how he copes when younger people want to break kolanuts when he is present. After our discussion, I closed that chapter forever. I do not even chew kolanuts anymore and the so called wedge can be as little as N200, nothing for me to split hairs over. I have absolutely nothing against people taking chieftaincy titles, but it is not for me. Let me continue to live my life on my own terms.

    Happy 80th birthday and many returns, Uncle J. In spite of the grey hairs which started “oppressing” you at a very young age, you still look very young and sharp at 80. As a young man at 80, let me take the liberty to say my guy, you are a great man.

  • A Christmas like no other – By Sonnie Ekwowusi

    A Christmas like no other – By Sonnie Ekwowusi

    Whether in plenty or on empty stomach or in foreboding forlorn or in distress or anxiety, we are electrified and enraptured in the magnificent allure and frenzy of Christmas amid the rendition of beautiful Christmas carols, festooning of public highways, public parks and personal houses; exchange of Christmas gifts, social parties and family Christmas gatherings.

    This year’s Christmas ought to be celebrated with pomp and pageantry. It is the first post-COVID Christmas. The last two Christmases were marred by the COVID-19 lockdown. You will recall that families, friends, relatives and acquaintances were forcefully separated from one another during the COVID lockdown. Social, family and communal interactions and socializations were paralyzed. Even public religious worship centres were banned during the lockdown. Now that the COVID lockdown and social restrictions have been lifted, I say, happy survival!. Let us make merriment and celebrate as we thank God for graciously sparing our lives at all times especially during the ravaging COVID years. From where I am seated at the moment and scribbling this I could hear resounding in the horizon the traditional Christmas carols in celebration of the dies natalis of Jesus Christ. I could feel the festive mood of the different people around me. I could sense the inner peace and joy encumbering the hearts of many people even though they have little or nothing to eat and drink.

    At the Nativity of Jesus Christ we are invited to re-live and deepen our understanding of the unfathomable Christian mystery which took place at the first Christmas more than 2000 years ago. When peaceful silence lay over the surface of the earth and the night had not run its full swift course, God chose to be born in a relatively humble city of David called Bethlehem. As St. Josemaria Escriva aptly puts it: “when the fullness of time comes, no philosophical genius, no Plato or Socrates appears to fulfill the mission of redemption. Nor does a powerful conqueror, another Alexander, take over the earth. Instead a child is born in Bethlehem. He is to redeem the world”. Poet William Butler Yeats writes that at the appointed time God caused what he dubbed the “uncontrollable mystery on the bestial floor” to take place at a relatively obscure town of Bethlehem. You and I should marvel at the magnanimity of a God who took flesh in the ever-virgin womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary in order to be born among us. We live in a society in which anybody who by any chance has accumulated some material wealth or has lots of money in his personal bank account wants to make a big statement about it with his big car, gorgeous dress and the quality of his shoes. Just take a studied look around you. What can you see around you? Noise-making, trumpeting thunder, grandstanding, flamboyance, colours, titles. Humility, in our clime, seems to be a vice. Self–effacement is a scarce virtue in our world. If you are doing any good work, the society expects you to boast about it in public, otherwise you could be accused of revelling in religious obscurantism or secrecy. Our affinity for titles is unprecedented. These days some even wear badges so that the society may not lose the good opinion they have about them.

    But Jesus Christ, the way, the truth and life, is humility personified. “Christ triumphed through humility”, writes St. Josemaria Escriva. Jesus is the Creator of all the alluring material things on this earth. He could have chosen to be born in the most expensive hospital on earth run by the best gynaecologist on earth. Instead, he chose to be born in a stable, a place where animals are kept. Can you imagine? Christ, the saviour of mankind, choosing to be born in a place where animals are kept. The Bible tells us that there was no place for him, his mother Mary and foster father Joseph in the inn. Reflect on this paradox; whereas there is room for the materially-rich of this world; there is room for those clothed in fine apparels; there is room for every traveller who has travelled far and wide. But there is no room in the inn for the Creator of the universe. He was laid in a manger not in a golden bed. Animals not only witnessed his birth but surrounded him after his birth. Prior to his public life, he spent a gargantuan 30 years in obscurity working as a carpenter with St. Joseph, his foster father. For our salvation, he allowed himself to be arrested and crucified on an ignominious cross.

    Following the exemplary humble life of Jesus, let us learn to be humble. We should reproduce Christ’s exemplary life in our individual lives. Jesus came to serve not to be served. He allowed himself to experience suffering, want and deprivation. In assuming human nature, he bore our burdens. Seeing the sufferings and distresses and deprivations and deaths of the people around him, he felt sad. He fed the hungry. He cured the blind, leper, the deaf and dumb and the infirm. Seeing the woman of Naim in tears for losing her son, he felt sorry for her and restored her son to life. Following the exemplary social concern of Jesus the Saviour, our political office holders should bring light to the dark land; hope to the hopeless; justice to the oppressed and integrity to the wasteland. At the moment life seems to have lost its meaning in Nigeria. There is untrammelled hunger in the land. Our streets and alley-ways are littered with many walking corpses whom we mistake as human beings. There is tension in the land. No peace in the hearts of many. We continue to live in fear; fear of our neighbours; fear of the air we breathe; fear of unknown gun men; fear of our shadows and fear of our surroundings. There are many Nigerians who have refused to travel to their respective country homes and villages to celebrate Christmas for fear of being kidnapped. Others will be spending Christmas at the petrol stations trying to re-fuel their cars.

    Therefore President Buhari should be reminded, perhaps for the umpteenth time, that protection of lives and property of the citizenry is his primary constitutional responsibility which he cannot contract out. In fact, if there is one Christmas gift Mr. President can give to Nigerians this Christmas it is to protect their lives and property. It makes no sense that President Buhari is trotting the world and telling all who cares to listen to him that he has done his best for Nigeria when in fact the country is now worse than he met it. When a government has failed to protect lives and property of the citizenry it is an indication that the government has woefully failed.

    At the individual level, we need a new humanism in Nigeria. President Buhari is not the cause of all our problems. Part of our main problem is the problem of political followership. As we speak, many Nigerian voters have been bought over by many fraudulent politicians. These fraudsters want to use them to try to rig the 2023 elections. Many of us do not love our fellow human beings. Therefore we must learn to see our neigbours as human beings not mere objects to be used to satisfy our selfish interests. The self-sacrificing service of Jesus, Mary and Joseph at first Christmas is a spur to us to be less self-centered and attend to the needs of our fellow men and women.

    Now that we have reached the threshold to the 2023 elections, we should get our PVCs ready to vote for competent and credible political candidates of our choice. Don’t tell me you are waiting for the miracle of God to salvage Nigeria from the doldrums of failed political leadership and failed political followership. I know that God works miracles but God needs the cooperation of you and I in order to work his miracle in Nigeria. He wants us to get our PVCs and go out to vote on Election Day. God can only work his miracle in Nigeria if we shun election rigging, PVC buying and vote buying. God can only work his miracle in Nigeria in 2023 if we refrain from voting for the incapacitated and fraudulent presidential flag-bearer simply because he comes from our tribe. Therefore this Christmas calls for a deeper reflection. We must only cast our votes for morally-upright political candidates. We can no longer vote for “419” persons, imbeciles and thieves. And if our votes must count we must wait to defend them after voting on Election Day.

    Christmas underlines the importance of the family in nation building. The Nigerian crisis is also a crisis of failed parenting. Most of the increasing societal crimes today such as rape, incest, money ritual, juvenile-kidnapping and so forth are symptoms of failed families. Therefore parents should rediscover their parental responsibilities this Christmas. Jesus was born into a family of Joseph and Mary. Everything in the Holy family of Jesus, Joseph and Mary bespeaks family values of concern, service, dedication and altruism. The family is the nucleus of the society. The family plays a vital role in the upbringing of a person. All the things that shape the life of an adult are what he/she learned from his family or from his parents in childhood. Any wonder the family has been dubbed as “the shaper of values”. The values, which the family institution imparts into the child eventually forms the superstructure around which the child’s future behaviour will revolve. And for us in Africa and Nigeria, the family viewed from historical and cultural context, essentially doubles as the provider of those “social safety-nets” which a person needs to grow up to become a responsible member of the society.

    Finally, Christmastime is a time to regain our laughter and optimism. Everything may be collapsing; politics and politicians may be synonymous with hypocrisy; your bank account may be empty; you may be unemployed; your landlord may be chasing you to pay your house rent; you might have lost your loved ones; your means of livelihood might have been destroyed; you or a member of your family may be struck down by a fatal illness. But nothing is gained by giving in to despair and despondency. Don’t lose hope. Although we live in a sad world, do not lose your cheerfulness and sense of humour. Let me wipe away the tears from your eyes. Jesus Christ, the Saviour of mankind, is born among us. Weep no more.

    Merry Christmas

  • What Nigerians should do this Yuletide – RCCG Pastor

    What Nigerians should do this Yuletide – RCCG Pastor

    Mr Ifeanyichukwu Nweke, the Area Pastor, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Latter House Assembly, Province 2, Isheri Berger, Lagos, has advised Nigerians to imbibe the virtue of sacrificial giving as a lifestyle during the Yuletide.

    Nweke who spoke on the theme: “The Perfect Gift” gave the advice during the parish’s carol service on Sunday in Lagos.

    He said that sacrificial giving is a scriptural principle put in place by God who is known as the perfect gift to humanity.

    Nweke noted that God exemplified such act of sacrificial giving while on earth and it behoves on everyone to exemplify such virtue.

    He advised that the Yuletide known as the season when people celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ should be used to give willingly to the less privileged.

    “I want to congratulate everyone for divine preservation and am calling on Nigerians to imbibe the lifestyle of sacrificial giving, it is Christ-like with great reward.

    “This is the season when we all should give to others as a way of showing love, we should extend help to the less privileged regardless of their faith,” he said.

    Nweke encouraged Nigerians to continue to trust in God bearing in mind that with God, healing and overall victory are guaranteed for individuals.

    Also speaking, Mrs Morayo Soares, an elder in the church, urged Nigerian to embrace peace while they celebrate the birth of Christ in calmness.

    Soares said every feeling of overexcitement should be curtailed as it could lead to accidents or death.

    Also, Mrs Oluwakemi Yusuf, a member of the church, said “Jesus is the gift for the season, we all must embrace him to benefit from the blessings meant for the season.”

    The congregants rendered worship to God in hymes and songs with beautiful decoration of the church in Christmas colours.