In the spirit of the season, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, called on all aggrieved members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to embrace reconciliation.
He drew the decision to call from the message delivered by the Presiding Pastor, Living Spring Chapel International, Pastor Femi Emmanuel, at the 2021 Christmas Carol Service and Nine Lessons organised by the Oyo State Government on Sunday.
Makinde stated: “Let me use this opportunity to beg all aggrieved PDP members to come and let us reconcile ourselves in the spirit of this season. We also call on aggrieved members of the opposition APC to join us. We will receive them gladly. I’m calling on all aggrieved people anywhere; we will reconcile anybody.”
The governor, who read the ninth lesson at the service held at the Remembrance Arcade, Opposite Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, thanked the people of the state for their support for his government, calling on them to intensify their prayers for the state and the country.
Makinde noted that the prayers are more needful in 2022 as the year would be a defining year because political parties would select candidates to contest the 2023 elections. He was calling on those willing to participate in politics to embrace political parties by joining to contribute their quota.
He stated that an increase of the state IGR would come when residents and citizens are ready to play their part, assuring that his government, which has the responsibility of ensuring that the resources are well managed, is making good use of the resources.
“Some people have been abusing me because of the decision on Independent Power Project (IPP), that maybe I want to use it in the Government House or my residence. But, Oyo state will have its own IPP, and from that proof of concept, we will expand it to industries and households as we move along,” the governor said.
While delivering the short exhortation at the Carol Service, Pastor Femi Emmanuel urged the people, especially residents of Oyo State, not to lose hope even in the myriad of challenges facing the country.
Speaking in a message entitled: “Why Jesus was Born and the Implications of his Birth”, the cleric said many people had lost the message and essence of the celebration of Christmas by reducing it to mere merriment, fun and holidays, among other things, insisting that they not lose the importance of the season which is fun and merriment.
He disclosed that one of the reasons Jesus was born was to reconcile man to God, identifying seven reasons and implications behind the birth of Jesus as reconciliation, peace, hope, and sharing to show man the way and to give man the second birth.
“Jesus was born to reconcile man back to God. There are two implications: we reconcile back to our maker and reconcile with ourselves as men. We should not find it difficult to reconcile ourselves. Why the infightings and tribalism? Why are we so tribalistic and not being together?” Pastor Emmanuel asked.
Some of the dignitaries at the service include; the wife of the governor, Tamunominini Makinde; Former Military Administrator, Oladayo Popoola; Speaker, Oyo Assembly, Debo Ogundoyin; Oyo Chief Judge, Munta Abimbola; Ex-Speaker, Monsurat Sunmonu; state lawmakers; top judicial officers; President Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Dr Supo Ayokunle; President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Francis Wale Oke and top government functionaries, some of who took a turn at bible readings, at the event, among others.
Suzan O.
