Nigeria’s First Girl, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, on Monday led dignitaries on an evening of reflection and songs on the annual 9 Classes and Carols Service held on the State Home Convention Centre, Abuja.
At this yr’s carol service themed ‘Immanuel, Our Restorer of Hope,’ Vice President of the Christian Affiliation of Nigeria, Baba Payan, known as on Christians to embody the spirit of affection that defines the season.
The Senior Particular Assistant on Media to the First Girl, Mrs. Busola Kukoyi, disclosed this in a press release signed Monday night time titled, ‘Cohesion emphasised at 2024 9 classes and carols service in Aso Rock.’
In his sermon titled ‘Let Brotherly Love Proceed,’ Payan emphasised the significance of compassion and kindness in a world typically marked by division.
The clergyman anchored his message in key biblical passages, together with Hebrews 13:1-2, which urges believers to let cohesion proceed and to entertain strangers, as some have unknowingly hosted angels.
He additionally referenced 1 John 4:7-9, declaring that “God is love,” and John 3:16, which articulates the core of Christian perception: “For God so cherished the world that He gave His solely begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him won’t perish however have eternal life.”
The cleric highlighted that Christmas is essentially about love.
“This season invitations us to replicate on how we are able to present like to these round us,” Payan said that love transcends boundaries of ethnicity, faith, and social standing.
He urged congregants to achieve out to these much less lucky throughout this festive season, saying, “Your neighbour is anybody who requires your assist. Allow us to present like to anybody in want of our assist.”
Payan additional defined the importance of affection in religious life by quoting 1 Corinthians 13:1, which states that with out love, even probably the most eloquent speech is meaningless.
“We reside in an age the place many search miracles, indicators and wonders. Whereas we rejoice these miracles, indicators and wonders, the best proof of our spirituality stays our capability for love,” he said.
He recalled a historic quote attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte relating to Christ’s enduring affect in comparison with earthly kingdoms: “Napoleon mentioned that whereas earthly kingdoms could fall, Christ’s kingdom endures as a result of it’s constructed on love.”
The gathering of notable Nigerians and leaders of religion featured scripture readings by personalities, together with Basic Yakubu Gowon (retd.); Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Secretary to the Authorities of the Federation, George Akume; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyeosom Wike; President of Court docket of Enchantment, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem; Inspector Basic of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; Chairman, Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee, Olanipekun Olukoyede; and First Girl of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu who took the eighth lesson.
Different personalities who attended included the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, the Head of Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, ministers, the previous First Girl, Endurance Jonathan, conventional rulers, safety chiefs and members of the diplomatic corps, amongst others.