The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, has called on Christians to embrace Christmas as a season of love, gratitude to God, goodwill to neighbours, and renewed hope, saying such values are crucial for Nigeria’s healing and transformation.
The monarch said living by the true spirit of Christmas would strengthen relationships, improve governance, and help build a better nation.
“If we love with the spirit of Christmas in our hearts, governance would work, electoral reforms would be easier to accomplish, funds would be judiciously utilised for the good of the larger number, while leadership would love and cherish the led,” he said. “That is the essence of Christmas, which we commend to all Nigerians and, indeed, to all humanity at this time.”
Oba Owoade gave the admonition in his Christmas and New Year message, conveyed through his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye.
According to the Alaafin, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ was founded on love, a virtue he urged Nigerians to imbibe in the present national context.
“It was love that took Jesus to the cross. If His heart was not overflowing with love, He could not have offered Himself as a sacrifice. At this time in our country, we commend this love to all citizens—love that puts others first, rises above selfish desires, and seeks to liberate and uplift,” he said.
The monarch added that love, sincerity of purpose, commitment, and patriotism would help the nation overcome insecurity, agitations, and other divisive challenges. He urged Christians to demonstrate these virtues in their daily lives and inspire others through their conduct.
Oba Owoade also noted what he described as recent improvements in governance and accountability, saying they offer renewed hope for the country despite attempts by some individuals to undermine the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He said Nigeria’s past struggles with transparency and accountability had weakened leadership but expressed optimism that President Tinubu’s emergence signalled hope and positive change.
“President Tinubu’s victory represents hope and transformation and marks the beginning of a new dawn for our democracy, where corruption, abuse of power, lack of transparency, and impunity will no longer define governance,” the Alaafin said.
Citing the President’s long-standing commitment to democratic ideals since the return to civil rule in 1999, the monarch expressed confidence that Nigeria would witness renewed values of responsible and accountable leadership.
He prayed for divine guidance for President Tinubu and Nigerians as the country works to entrench honesty and accountability in governance, expressing optimism that integrity and perseverance would prevail throughout the administration.
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