***As Ondo State celebrates Year 2022 Carols Service.
*** Gov commends Religious tolerance in the State.
As Ondo State Government marks the year 2022 Service of Carols and Nine Lessons with sobber reflections and thanksgiving, filled with hope and fruitfulness, Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has enjoined the good people of the State, particularly Christian faithfuls to moderate the festive season's celebrations.
"The spirit and essence of Christmas is to propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ as the saviour of the world...it is a time of spiritual reflection on the important foundations and virtues of kindness, joy, peace, meekness, mercy, charity, goodness and temperance of Christian faith" , he said.
The Governor represented by his Deputy, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa made this submission at Year 2022 Service of Carols and Nine Lessons held at International Culture and Events Center ( The Dome ), Alagbaka Akure on Thursday.
Aiyedatiwa who read the nineth Bible lesson ( John 1 vs 1-12 ) at the well attended event said, "Christmas season is a season of divine goodwill to man, a season unfolding the plan of redemption, worship and praise to God for His benevolence to all His creatures" .
"We have every reason to appreciate God for His manifold blessings on our State for peace, prosperity and progress being recorded" .
Going further, the Deputy Governor said, "iam grateful to the Almighty God that religion have been used in Ondo State as a tool to advocate, advance and promote group solidarity, social control and moral order, I therefore, commend the maturity and tolerance of our religious leaders towards one another in Ondo State" .
He however cautioned on the need for moderation in celebrating the festive season to reflect the mood and realities of the moment.
His words, "i must not fail to charge us that our celebration of Christmas and New Year must reflect the mood and realities of the moment" .
"Let us limit our expenses to our purse" .
"We must not go borrowing to celebrate the season, lets not do more than our capacity... celebration will come and go" , he counseled.
In his sermon, Ondo State Chairman of Christian Association Of Nigeria ( CAN ), Very Revd.Fr. Anselm Olorunfemi Ologunwa preached on the second coming of Jesus Christ.
"The second coming of Jesus Christ is secret, it will shattered the world of unbelievers, and if we miss the second coming of Jesus Christ, then we miss everything".
And to religious leaders, Fr. Ologunwa said, "we are not called to acquire wealth through the gospel, but to preach the gospel to win souls for Jesus Christ" .
"May the reason of this season be fulfilled in our lives", he prayed.
The Diocesan Bishop of Owo Anglican Diocese, Rt. Revd. Dr Stephen Ayodeji Fagbemi thereafter, prayed for the state and the country.
Dignitaries at the event are, wife of Ondo State Governor, Chief ( Mrs ), Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu represented by Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr ( Mrs ) Juliana Osadahun, Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly represented by Deputy Speaker, Rt.Hon. Samuel Aderoboye, Ondo State Acting Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Olusegun Odusola who led other Justices from the state Judiciary and President of Customary Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Eunice Alade.
Others are Secretary to Ondo State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, Chief of Staff to Governor, Chief Olugbenga Ale and his wife, Head of Service, Pastor Kayode Ogundele MNI, State Cabinet members, Council Chairmen, Archbishop of Ondo Province and Diocesan Bishop of Akure Diocese, Most Rev. Dr Simeon Borokini, Clergymen, Chairman, Ondo State Council of Obas and Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, senior citizens led by Bashorun Arogbofa, church representatives and others.
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