NAN-H-16
Worshippers
By Toba Ajayi
Ilorin, Dec. 25, 2017 (NAN) As Nigeria joins the rest of the world in celebrating Christmas, Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue has urged Christians in the state to embrace peace and harmony in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ.
In his Christmas message, Ortom assured the people of a crime-free celebration, stressing that the state government had provided adequate support to security agencies to maintain law and order.
The governor also assured them of prompt payment of salaries of workers as and when due in 2018, noting that verification headed by his deputy, Benson Abounu, had reduced the wage bill of workers.
Similarly, Pastor Dickson Ishi of the Gospel of Christ Church, Makurdi, charged Christians to celebrate Christmas with the fear of God and devoid of immorality.
Ishi decried the attitude of those indulging in all manners of immoral acts that displeases Christ.
He said that the yuletide offered Christians the opportunity to have sober reflections on their lives and make amends where necessary so as to see the face of God.
In Ilorin, Christians defied the prevailing fuel scarcity and thronged churches en masse, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
NAN correspondent reports that places of worship were filled to capacity, with worshippers enthusiastically dancing and singing praises.
Speaking to NAN on the situation, a worshipper Mrs Victoria Olutimi said the fuel scarcity could not dampen her spirit on a special day such as this which marked the birth of Christ.
“I am not worried about their fuel because we are used to it every December. My children and I came back from the church not long ago. We are preparing to go out for the real merriment and fun,” she said.
Another worshipper, Mr Joseph Ige, told NAN that he had anticipated the fuel scarcity, describing it as a “December syndrome”.
“I never wanted anything that will deny me of celebrating Christmas, so I had planned ahead by keeping fuel in my reservoir. We all know how fuel has become a tug of war every festive period.
“I am not bothered at all about the fuel scarcity. I am enjoying my day. Nothing can stop me from celebrating Christmas today,” he said.
Also, a cleric, Pastor John Aremu, said the atmosphere in the town was so lively that he could hardly notice the bite of the fuel scarcity on commuters and motorists.
“As you can see, Christians are happy today because today is special and nothing will stop them from celebrating. Everywhere is bubbling in town that you can feel something is happening,” the pastor said.
In Bauchi, a cleric Rev. Nuhu Ubale appealed to Christians to demonstrate their kindness to all and sundry regardless of their faiths.
Ubale, who is the pastor of the Evangelical Church Wining All (ECWA), English Yelwan, called on Christians to “Emulate the teaching and practice of Jesus Christ and be kind to people irrespective of religious belief”.
According to him, the yuletide is not a season just for shopping, decoration, parties and gift sharing but for the prevalence of peace, expression of joy and show of love.
The cleric, who quoted the gospel of Mathew 2:1-12 and Luke 2:7 said the birth of Jesus gave hope for the hopeless, adding that Christmas marked the triumph of light over darkness.
He further stressed the need for Christians to intensify prayers for the restoration of peace in every part of the country while urging the government to pay attention to the safety of lives and property of the residents of the state. (NAN)
Reporters/OSA/IS
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Edited by Shittu Obassa/Ismail Abdulaziz