The Lagos State Government on Thursday, urged residents to celebrate with caution and in moderation during the Yuletide season.
The Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi gave the advice at Ikeja, during the Lagos State Ministry of Home Affairs Christian Fellowship 2022 Christmas Carol of Nine Lessons, with the theme: “And The Word Was Made Flesh”, John 1:14.
Elegushi said the yuletide remained a celebration period, of which residents should be mindful while they celebrated.
“All over the world, we are in a celebration mode. Lagos state is really celebrating and as we are celebrating Christmas, we are celebrating projects. As you can see yesterday (Wednesday), we celebrated the commencement of our Blue Line rail.
“So in Lagos, we have cause to celebrate all the time, we thank God and this celebration will not be the last, by the grace of God,
“But as we are celebrating, we should be cautioned, we should be very, very careful on what you are supposed to do and what we are not to do. And also to be very, very security cautious.
“Let’s look at driving from one point to another, because this is the period people will want to travel from one place to another, we should be cautious of traffic laws and all that.
“Also this is a season where everybody will want to celebrate, some will take alcohol, but anything you want to take take it moderately,” he said.
The commissioner called on residents and all to love one another and share what one had with others, as Christmas remained a period of love and sharing.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Mrs Lolade Aina urged all to live in peace with one another, as the season beckoned.
“It’s a season of peace, it’s a season of love, it’s a season of joy. Let’s continue to share this love amongst ourselves, joy and peace all over, wherever we go. Stay in peace, remain in joy, and the Lord will continue to protect and keep each and everyone of you,” Aina said.
The Venerable Ezekiel Oluwadare, Presiding Chaplain, Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa said that Christmas season had a message of humility.
“Jesus came into the world. He humbled Himself – humility, he surrendered his life for everyone. So for everyone of us, there should be nothing like selfishness, we should be selfless.
“There should be no hatred. There should be no division. We should show love to everyone of us, in the presence of God, there is no religious bigotry, there is no tribalism,” Oluwadare said.
In his welcome address, the President, Ministry of Home Affairs Christian Fellowship, Mr Lanre Bajulaiye said that the programme was organised to celebrate the reason for the season.
Bajulaiye said the reason for the season is Jesus, and his birth was worth celebrating.
“You will recall that about three years back now, during the COVID era, we could not gather together like this. When you look back and you think about the goodness of God, you have no choice but to rejoice and to celebrate the reason for the season,” he said.