Former Nigerian Presidents, General Yakubu Gowon and Olusegun Obasanjo, have joined Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, to mark the 2025 Service of Nine Lessons and Carols at the Conference Centre of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The third annual event themed ‘Emmanuel: God With Us‘ and hosted by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu had a 100 man mass choir of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) dishing out renditions of harmonious carols that blended reverence and festivity.
The order of service began on a majestic note with the opening Hymn: Once in Royal David’s City, setting a tone of royal humility.
This flowed into the Bidding Prayer, invoking divine presence, followed by the jubilant Carol: Ding Dong! Merrily on High, its bells-like melody lifting spirits.
Former Head of State and elder statesman, General Yakubu Gowon read the First Lesson from Genesis 3:8-12, recounting humanity’s early encounter with divine accountability.
The choir responded with the triumphant Hark! The Herald-Angels Sing, proclaiming the angels’ announcement of Christ’s birth.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo —making his first appearance at a state function in the Villa since President Bola Tinubu’s inauguration—read the Second Lesson from Genesis 22:15-18, emphasising God’s covenant of blessing through obedience.
The assembly sang Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning, a carol celebrating the star of Bethlehem.
The procession of readings continued with profound national representation. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, read the Third Lesson from Isaiah 9:6-7, prophesying the Prince of Peace, after which the choir sang The First Noel the Angel Did Say.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, followed with the Fourth Lesson from Isaiah 11:1-4, evoking the righteous reign of the Messiah, paired with the serene Still the Night, Holy the Night!.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, read the Fifth Lesson from Luke 1:26-31, narrating the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary. This was enriched by dual carols: O Come, O Come Emmanuel and Joy to the World; The Lord is Come, stirring anticipation of salvation.
President of the Court of Appeal, Hon Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, read the Sixth Lesson from Luke 2:4-7, detailing the humble birth in Bethlehem, as the choir intoned ‘While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night’.
The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), conveyed the Seventh Lesson from Luke 2:10-14, the ‘Angels’ joyous proclamation to the shepherds, followed by the tender Cradled in a Manger, Meanly.
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun presented the Eighth Lesson from Matthew 2:9-12, on the wise men’s guided journey and worship, with the choir’s vibrant ‘Christians, Awake, Salute the Happy Morn’. urging awakening to the Savior’s light.
The host of the evening, First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, read the Ninth Lesson from John 1:1-14, affirming the ‘Word made flesh dwelling among us’. The congregation rose for the resounding Hymn: ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’.
The service reached its spiritual zenith with the Prelate of the Methodist Church His Eminence Oliver Aba’s Exhortation, where he unpacked “Emmanuel” as God’s unwavering presence amid Nigeria’s storms—from inflation to insecurity.
He implored faith-fueled unity and selfless deeds as the nation’s pathway to renewal.
He emphasised Christ’s intimacy. “Jesus did not come to be far away from us. He came to be present. He came to be closer and involved in our everyday affair.
Prelate Aba assured the gathering that God’s presence endures through uncontrollable circumstances.
Echoing John 3:16, Aba framed the season as God’s selfless love. He called for meditation on Christ’s peace:
“As we rise from this place and go back home, what will you meditate on? Meditate that we are celebrating this evening… The peace that Jesus brought into this world, the love that he has portrayed.
He added that the love that God has demonstrated among men is enough example for all to follow.
Lateefah Ibrahim