Politics

Be wary of COVID-19 Second Wave – Owoeye

By Web News 751

The Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, OSHA, Mr Timothy Owoeye wants Nigerians to be more cautious of the second wave of Coronavirus pandemic.

The speaker in his Christmas said all hands must be on deck to stem the devastation that may want to arise from the second wave of Coronavirus.

He encouraged Osun State residents to begin to take necessary precautions to prevent community transmission of the disease as they celebrate the birth of Christ.

While urged the state government and relevant health stakeholders to coordinate an early response system to curtail the second wave, Mr Owoeye advised the people to ensure that all COVID-19 precautionary measures by governments are observed. 

He advised Nigerians to avoid long trips to family members and physical contact should be avoided as much as possible, but should take advantage of technology by connecting to Christmas party through video conferencing.

The speaker urged well-meaning Nigerians to help the needy during the Yuletide period, stating that sharing of love and food will go a long way in cushioning the effect Coronavirus on the masses.

Funmi Adekoya

General Superintendent Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide, Pastor James Onagwa
Religion

Understand The Real Reason For Christmas – Pastor Onagwa

By Web News 1450

General Superintendent Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide, Pastor James Onagwa wants Christians to celebrate Christmas in a way that will not defeat its purpose for the significance of the period to have impart in their lives.

Pastor Onagwa who stated this while speaking on this year’s Christmas Celebration noted that many people were ignorantly celebrating Christmas forgetting the purpose of the celebration.

He observed that many people had turned Christmas celebration to the period they would eat, drink, fornicate and commit other forms of sin all in the name of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. 

He said “When Jesus was born, the wise men came to him, only those who were wise, and they came to celebrate Jesus, but it is a pity today that while some were celebrating Jesus, others were celebrating “Mas”, You see people who are celebrating the birth of Jesus, drinking, smoking clubbing, camping other people’s wives in hotel, who felt they must celebrate the birth of the Saviour with sin, which is very very contrary to the purpose Jesus came for”. 

He explained that anybody that would celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ must follow the footsteps of the wise men who came to worship him. “Those who are celebrating Christmas with sin are not regarded as wise, the wise one were those who come together to worship Jesus, when you see people coming together for Bible teaching, Seminar Revival prayer and others, those are the people who are wise who are really seeking Jesus, not people go about drinking beer, organizing carnivals, and other immoral party.”

The CAC General Superintendent therefore appealed to Christians to use the period to know more about Christ and the purpose of his coming to the world, “the best to celebrate Christmas is to come together to acknowledge what he has done, and wanting to know Christ, how to please him more, how to serve him more, and how to follow him more.

Pastor Onagwa also urged church leaders to make sure that Christmas period is used to bring people to Christ and establish their faith.

Sunday Ogunyemi

Lifestyle

FG Declares Public Holidays For Christmas, Boxing Day, New Year Celebrations

By Web News 682

The federal government has declared Friday, December 25, Monday, December 28, 2020, and Friday, January 1, 2021, as public holidays to mark the Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year celebrations, respectively.

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, announced this on behalf of the federal government in a statement issued by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Dr Shuaib Belgore.

The minister felicitated with Christians and all Nigerians both at home and abroad on the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Ogbeni Aregbesola urged Christians to adopt the creed of Christ on faith, hope, and love.

The minister noted that peace and security are critical factors needed to enable the government to accomplish its mission of revitalizing the economy, improving foreign direct investment as well as generating employment opportunities for over 100 million Nigerian youths in the next 10 years.

Ogbeni Aregbesola advised Nigerians and Christians in particular, to adhere strictly to the COVID-19 protocols and guidelines, as stipulated by relevant authorities, during and after the yuletide, especially with the second wave of the outbreak of the disease.

Lifestyle

Xmas: Tamunominini Makinde Fetes Children

By Web News 1166

Some children in Ibadan, Oyo State capital have converged on the Agodi Gardens to enjoy this year’s Christmas celebration. 

At the event organized by wife of the Oyo State Governor, Mrs Tamunominini Makinde, the children enjoyed games, dance and gifts from santa clause. 

While expressing their appreciation to Mrs Makinde, some of them who spoke with Radio Nigeria explained that the gesture had made them understand the true meaning of Christmas.

In separate interviews, Phillip Olaonipekun, Zeenat Ayomide and Maryam Kelani promised to extend the message of Christmas which was love to others.

Reacting, Mrs Tamunominini Makinde urged the children to extend such love to the less privileged irrespective of their status. 

Represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Mrs olufunmilayo Orisadeyi, Mrs Makinde said giving was important especially at a time like this to help raise hope of the needy in the society.

Seyifunmi Olarinde

Religion

PMB Felicitates with Nigerians on Christmas

By Web News 892

President Muhammadu Buhari has enjoined Nigerians to imbibe and demonstrate the essence of Christmas to facilitate peaceful co-existence, which will in turn usher in progress.

In a message, President Buhari said love; goodwill among ethnic groups; giving and sharing; strengthening bonds of brotherhood and good neighbourliness; would promote and sustain unity and development.

He said celebrating the spirit and virtues of Christmas need not be a one-day affair, but to continue into the New Year.

He appealed to those, whose actions are opposed to what the season represents, especially, insurgents, terrorists, armed robbers, kidnappers and economic saboteurs, to retrace their steps and join people of goodwill and common humanity.

He warnsed that the armed forces, security and law-enforcement agencies were poised to confront and defeat them.

While it is gladdening to note that incidents of violence and conflicts have reduced drastically owing to the several operations embarked on by security agencies, Nigerians must not let their guards down, he said.

The President said as Christmas indicates good tidings of hope and redemption, “Nigerians can look forward to a turnaround in the administration’s priority areas of fighting corruption, providing security, economic diversification, job creation and infrastructure upgrade.”

He called on Christians to remember to pray for members of the armed forces and other security agencies “who are making so much sacrifice to protect Nigerians from people of evil intent.”

He says Nigerians should extend love to the families of those whose bread-winners have made the ultimate sacrifice while defending their fatherland.

The President appealed to motorists to drive with care this festive season, while road safety and security officials should ensure compliance with safety measures.

Abdullah Bello

Religion

Xmas: Clerics Call for Humility, Moderation

By Web News 912

The world is globally celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ known as Christmas, first, with services across the churches.

Radio Nigeria crew of reporters went round some churches in Ibadan to gather different messages on the significance of the birth of Jesus Christ. 

At Assemblies of God Church, Apata, Ibadan members dressed gorgeously in different attires to celebrate the birth of Christ. In a sermon Reverend Emmanuel Olubiyi while highlighting reasons for Christmas celebration, said Christ’s birth brought salvation  to mankind. 

Rev Olubiyi, who explained that Christmas symbolized freedom from judgment and death, maintained that Christ brought hope of eternity. 

He encouraged Christians to be moderate in their celebration.

Assisting Priest, Canon Babatunde Memorial Anglican Church, Apata Ibadan, Reverend Segun Agunbiade admonished Christians be humble in in their conduct as revealed in the birth of Jesus Christ.

The cleric advised Christians to emulate the humility of Jesus Christ during this Christmas season and beyond.

In a Xmas sermon, Venerable Adewale Sanda of Saint Annes Anglican Church Molete Ibadan called for attitudinal change. According to him,

many social vices in the country can be avoided if Nigerians imbibe the virtue and teaching of Christ.

Members of the congregation, who spoke with Radio Nigeria reporter, said the essence of the teachings was becoming more pronounced on yearly basis.

Adelowo/Akinlosotu/Akinola

Religion

Xmas: Let us Imbibe Christ’s Virtue – Gov. Makinde

By Web News 800 Post a comment

Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has urged Christians, residents of Oyo State and Nigerians in general to ensure they live in peace and harmony in the spirit of Christmas.

A statement by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa urges Christians to imbibe the teachings of Jesus Christ, whose birth is being celebrated at Christmas.

Governor Makinde said that every resident and indigenes of Oyo State needed to imbibe harmonious coexistence to engender development in the state and Nigeria generally.

The statement encourages Nigerians to reflect on the need to assist the needy as the world celebrate Christmas with family, friends and loved ones.

 Governor Makinde also warned against religious bigotry, declaring that only gullible persons use religion to divide the people.

“I would want our people to live in peace and harmony because development only thrives in an environment where peace reigns.

“Jesus Christ, whom we are celebrating today came to the world and loved his enemies. He preached peace everywhere he went, his lifestyle is worthy of emulation by our people, especially now that certain forces are seeking to divide our people along religious lines.

“I want our people to know that poverty, squalor, and lack know no religion or ethnicity. If those divisive elements come to you, tell them to find other things to do because our unity would remain our source of strength.

“As we look forward towards a prosperous 2020, let us all love our neighbours and brothers like ourselves, let us pray that the Almighty would touch the hearts of some persons who take joy in inflicting pains on the hapless common man. God urges us to be our brothers’ keeper and the least we are expected to do is to show care, love, and compassion and as we live in peace and harmony, our society would be better for it.”

 Iyabo Adebisi