2019 Poll: Ambode Charges Nigerians To Pray For Peace
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has called on Nigerians to pray for peace as the nation prepares for the 2019 general elections.
The governor spoke at the 2018 Lagos State Christmas Carol Service, held at the Lagos House, Ikeja on Wednesday.
According to him, Nigerians should use this opportunity to pray for the peace and prosperity of Lagos State and Nigeria, especially as "we prepare for election."
Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (3rd left), his wife, Bolanle (3rdright); Pastor Johnson Odesola (2nd right) & his wife, Pastor Rachael (r); Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Opeyemi Oke (2ndleft); and, APC Lagos state governorship candidate, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (L), during the 2018 Christmas Carol Service, with the theme; “Light of the World”, held at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, on Wedesday, 19th December, 2018.
The governor said Christmas marked the birth of Christ and the coming of light, adding that light would always overcome darkness, bringing transformation, restoration and hope to the hopeless.
He noted that wherever Jesus is light, adding that whatever "we do at Christmas is connected to light. Light personifies Jesus. As christians, we should illuminate any environment we find ourselves’.
"As the light of God, we must show the way. We should use this season of love to give to the less privileged in our society," he stressed.
Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left), his wife, Bolanle (m); Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Opeyemi Oke (L) and Pastor Johnson Odesola & his wife, Pastor Rachael (L), during the 2018 Christmas Carol Service, with the theme; “Light of the World”, held at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, on Wedesday, 19th December, 2018.
Also speaking at the event, wife of the Governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, in her welcome address charged Christians to imbibe the teachings of Jesus Christ and strive to emulate His qualities of humility, love for all, fairness, selflessness and consideration for fellow humans.
Mrs Ambode emphasised that if Christians succeeded in imbibing the teachings of Christ and strove to be like Him, Christians would do less of preaching to bring non-believers to the vineyard, "as our lives would be perfect examples and model that would convince the multitude to come to God."
Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (3rd left), his wife, Bolanle (3rdright); Pastor Johnson Odesola (2nd right) & his wife, Pastor Rachael (r); Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Opeyemi Oke (2ndleft); and, APC Lagos state governorship candidate, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (L), during the 2018 Christmas Carol Service, with the theme; “Light of the World”, held at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, on Wedesday, 19th December, 2018.
"Of course we cannot be Jesus Christ, but we can imbibe His teachings and strive hard to emulate His qualities of humility, love for all, fairness, selflessness and consideration for fellow humans, among others," she said.
Mrs Ambode said "if God had not given Christians a chance of redemption through Christ; if He had insisted on vengeful action based on the sinfulness of the world; if God had not shown so much kindness and mercy to people of the world, what will be the story of mankind?
Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (m), his wife, Bolanle (3rdright); Pastor Johnson Odesola (2ndright) & his wife, Pastor Rachael (r); Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Opeyemi Oke (2ndleft); and APC Lagos state governorship candidate, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (L), rendering congregational hymn, during the 2018 Christmas Carol Service, with the theme; “Light of the World”, held at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, on Wedesday, 19th December, 2018.
"It is because we deeply treasure the special love of God and appreciate the magnitude of undeserved suffering that Jesus went through because of you and me, that we have assembled here to express our praise in solemn songs.
The pains that Jesus suffered and the burden he carried for us to enjoy forgiveness of sin from God, make Him the permanent hero that we must continue to celebrate. The carol is one of the little things we can do in this regard."
On the theme of this year's Carol, which is: ‘The Light of the World’, the First Lady said Jesus came in His majesty to illuminate the world totally enveloped in thick darkness and that He came to redeem us from sin by pointing the way to righteousness and to eternity, saying that is why He is the light.
Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (3rd left), his wife, Bolanle (3rdright); Pastor Johnson Odesola (2nd right) & his wife, Pastor Rachael (r); Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Opeyemi Oke (2ndleft); and, APC Lagos state governorship candidate, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (L), during the 2018 Christmas Carol Service, with the theme; “Light of the World”, held at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, on Wedesday, 19th December, 2018.
According to her, despite Christ's awesome glory, He came into the world with disarming humility, reflected in His carriage, interaction and all that He did, as He toiled and served to save, so that precious souls would not perish, adding that in the end of it all, He died but gloriously resurrected, so that His mandate for humanity would be fully accomplished.
She noted further that:"Imagine what the world would be if everyone had the qualities of Jesus Christ. It would be a world without hate and violence, where love reigns supreme, ensuring joy, peace and complete harmony, among all people and all nations".
Carol lessons were read by the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Opeyemi Oke, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh, Special Adviser, Education and the Head of Service, Mrs. Folashade Adesoye, while different choristers took turn to render various songs.
The Christmas Carol Service had over 3000 persons in attendance.
Folashade Kadiri (Mrs.) is an Asst. Director, Public Affairs, Office of the Wife of the Governor of Lagos State
Wednesday, 19th December 2018