2024 will be a year of peace, says First Lady

• Tinubu’s wife hosts administration’s maiden Christmas Carol

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu yesterday hosted the crème -de- la- crème of  Nigeria’s past and present leadership at the 2023 Service of Nine Lessons and Carol in Abuja.

 The service, the first under the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, had: “Immanuel, Our Hope of Glory” as its theme.

Former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, former President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Secretary to the Government of the Federation(SGF) George Akume and  Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu were among the signatories.

At the event, marked by a galore of Christmas carols, Mrs Tinubu preached hope to Nigerians and assured them that next year would be hallmarked by peace.

 She expressed optimism that Nigeria would take her rightful place in the comity of nations and called for prayers, especially by clerics for the nation.

“I want to appreciate you, we can only covet your prayers. I believe the best is now in Nigeria, we shall experience and see it. 2024 is the year of peace, Nigeria will take her place in the comity of nations,” the First Lady said.

 Deputy Speaker Kalu said with the elections past, Nigerians from all political factions must reconcile for the nation’s progress.

He said, “Peace is all the season represents. The Prince of Peace was given birth to. So, those who are angry, agitated and interested in violence, should drop it.

“Let us forgive one another, Let us get reconciled to our families, communities, states and the nation.

“We are believing that 2024 will bring what we have never seen before, the prosperity that will amaze us.“

  Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who was one of the monarchs at the event that held at the State House Conference Center, Presidential Villa,  said though the times seem tough economically, Nigerians can weather the storms through resilience.

“My message to Nigerians is that we should continue to look up to God. Yes, things are tight, we all know. But there would be succour. That’s our prayers. All the traditional rulers are joining forces towards this.

“In this festive season, we continue to pray to God for things to be better. We’ve been very resilient, and the resilience will continue to uphold us.

“When things get better, we will have more time to enjoy the fruit of our labour,” Oba Ogunwusi, remarked.

  Gowon,  Jonathan and Akpabio attended the service with their wives Victoria, Patience and Ekaetta.

Other personalities  included the Head of Service of the Civil Service of the Federation    Folashade Yemi-Esan; , members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), members of the diplomatic corps, first-class traditional rulers, military and para-military chiefs 

Arch Bishop Peter Ogunmuyiwa, read the message of Christmas, while the Mass Choir of the  Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) sang all the songs in English, Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo.

Gowon took the 1st lesson, “The fall of Man” from Genesis 3:1-24,  while the CDS, Musa read the second lesson “Promise to Abraham) from Genesis 22:1-19

Chief Justice of Nigeria, represented by a Justice of the Supreme Court, took the 3rd Lesson, “The Prophecy of the Messiah’s Kingdom of Peace”, from the book of Isaiah 11:1-19

Head of Service took the 4th Lesson on behalf of all workers in the nation, “The Prophet Tells of the Prince of Peace”, from Isaiah 9:6-7.

  SGF  Akume read the 5th Lesson “The Annunciation of Mary” from Luke 1:26-38.

  Kalu, read the 6th Lesson “The Birth of Immanuel”, from Matthew 1:18-23 while Akpabio read the 7th Lesson “The Shepherd’s Visit”, from Luke 2:8-20.

The First Lady   read the 8th Lesson “Adoration of the Magi” Mathew 2:1-12,

Bishop Adegbite read the 9th Lesson “St. John Unfolds the Great Mystery of the Incarnation” John 1:1-14

CAN President, Daniel Okoh, in his Christmas message said the 2023 Christmas was special because it is the first after the general elections in the country.

He said Nigerians were looking forward to the  Christmas with renewed hope. He added that he genuinely believes that things will be better. 

The cleric commended President Tinubu for his efforts to ensure inclusive governance and expressed hope that under him Nigeria would flourish again.

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He said the elections were now over and that there could only be one president at a time.

Okoh said the celebrations of Jesus Christ are a reminder of the length that he went to reconcile man to God so that the condemned with be redeemed and restored.

He charged all believers to be champions of reconciliation and not crisis and division, saying “We must love our enemies.”

Okoh noted that “Jesus loved us while we were sinners and reconciled us to God”, adding that “reconciliation is not complete until we reconcile with all our enemies”, urging Nigerians to reach out to their enemies and reconcile with them.”

He said President Tinubu’s approach to reaching out to the opposition is commendable, saying the President and the First Lady’s magnanimity will be rewarded.

Okoh also prayed for Tinubu’s administration to succeed.

“As we celebrate Christmas, let’s not forget the poor and the poorest of the poor, the sick and those wounded spiritually and physically and those who have not eaten. Remember those in capacity and those displaced from their homes, so that they too may rejoice”, he said.

The CAN President led the leadership to present Christmas Card to the first family.

The event ended with the rendition of  “Once In Royal David’s City” by the CAN mass choir.