Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde; lawmaker representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Senator Sharafadeen Alli and the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin have charged Christians to spread the message of love among the people.
They gave the charge while felicitating with Christians in the state on the occasion of this year’s Christmas celebration.
Governor Makinde called on the Christian faithful to use the opportunity of the festive season to pray for the state, Nigeria, and also for those mourning the loss of their loved ones.
Makinde, who stated this in his Christmas message to residents of the state, urged the people to celebrate responsibly.
This, he said, they could do by putting in place necessary crowd control measures and, where appropriate, involve security agencies.
The governor called on the residents to remember those mourning the loss of their children during the recent Christmas Funfair stampede and equally charged them to be vigilant during the yuletide.
He called on residents to report suspicious movements to security agencies through the State Emergency Number 615.
For his part, Senator Alli, while extending warm greetings and heartfelt felicitations to Christians in the State and across Nigeria, emphasised that Christmas was a season of love, peace, compassion, humility, selflessness and reflection on the virtues exemplified by Jesus Christ.
He urged Christians to use the season to pray for the peace, unity, and progress of the nation, while also extending love and support to the less privileged in society.
The lawmaker called on Nigerians, regardless of religious affiliation, to embrace the spirit of togetherness, tolerance, and understanding to foster a harmonious society.
Alli wished Nigerians Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year in advance, urging citizens to celebrate responsibly and remain hopeful for a brighter future.
In the same vein, the Olubadan felicitated Christians all over the world, asking them to emulate the virtues of Jesus Christ which include love, forgiveness, provision for the needy, religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence among others.
Oba Olakulehin stressed the need to love one another, noting lack of genuine love amongst citizens as the bane of the society and indeed the world.
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