CLERICS CALL FOR COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS TOWARDS A BETTER SOCIETY AS CHRISTIANS MARK CHRISTMAS & BOXING DAY

As Christmas continues with the Boxing Day, Christians are urged to reach out the less privileged in the society to reflect the essence of the holiday.

The Bishop Methodist Church Nigeria Diocese of Agbani, the Right Reverend Udo Nmeregini made the call in Agbani while interacting with Radio Nigeria on the essence of the Day.

Bishop Nmeregini also enjoined Nigerians to use holiday to engage in other activities that promote the welfare of their various communities and the country at large.

Boxing Day is marked every 26 December as a holiday in all British Common Wealth Countries around the world.

It was traditionally a day for servants in Britain, when they receive Christmas Boxes containing various gifts from their masters to go and make merry with their families and loved ones.

Also, Christians are urged to seek Jesus Christ even in the midst of difficulties.

The Anglican Bishop of Nike Diocese, the Right Reverend Evans Ibeagha made the call in a service to mark Christmas at Saint Cyprian’s Cathedral Abakpa Nike Enugu.

According to Bishop Ibeagha, it is through accepting Jesus Christ and trusting in him that the peace of God will reign in the lives of the faithful.

The Bishop also encouraged Christians to pray always.

The service featured thanksgiving, songs of praise and prayer for the nation.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has been called upon to find solution to the sufferings of Nigerians, including the lingering fuel crisis.

The Anglican Bishop of Eha-Amufu Diocese, the Right Reverend Daniel Nkemjika Olinya made the call in a message to commemorate Christmas.

Bishop Olinya said that the sufferings of Nigerians had compelled many youths to flee to other countries in search of greener pastures where they end up being imprisoned or enslaved.

The Right Reverend Olinya also advised Christians all over the world to repent and amend their ways in order to make heaven.

In a similar development, Christians have been urged to show gratitude to God always for saving humanity through His Son Jesus Christ.

The Bishop of Nsukka Diocese Anglican Communion the Right Reverend Aloysius Agbo made the call while felicitating with the Christians on the occasion of Christmas.

The Right Reverend Agbo expressed regret that many Christians had derailed from the essence of Christmas and called on churches to rise up to the challenges of bringing people back to God.

Bishop Agbo enjoined Christians to shun any activity that could jeopardize their faith in God, especially this yuletide.

In the mean time, The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, the Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, wants Christians and non-Christians to use the Christmas period to reconcile with one another.

Bishop Ezeokafor gave the charge in his Christmas message to Nigerians in Awka, the capital of Anambra State.

According to the high priest, Jesus Christ abhors pride, arrogance but remained humble even in death.

Bishop Ezeokafor challenged the wealthy people in the society to use the period to remember the poor masses.

He called on the federal government to ensure electricity was stabilized in the country to enabler business activities to thrive.

Bishop Ezeokafor also advised the Federal Government to give agriculture its place of pride in the country.

Bishop Ezeokafor prayed that the country would be more prosperous in the incoming year.

Still on festivities, prison inmates are encouraged to focus on moral instruction to enable them to impact positively when reintegrated into the society.

The Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, the Most Reverend Calistus Onaga gave the charge at the Enugu Prison during a Holy Mass organized by the Carmelite Prisoners Interest Organization, CAPIO, to mark the Christmas celebration.

Bishop Onaga who spoke on the topic “I can Change the World Positively” said that the inmates would help the society to combat crimes.

Bishop Onaga commended the Enugu State Government for the signing of the Administration and Criminal Justice bill into law to enhance speedy administration of justice.

In a remark, the Executive Director of CAPIO, the Reverend Father Ambrose Ekereoku said celebrating the Christmas with the inmates was meant to give them a sense of belonging.

The Deputy Comptroller Nigerian Prisons Service Enugu, Mr. Felix Lawrence expressed satisfaction with the visit and noted that it would have positive impact on their lives.

The event featured donation of food items to the inmates.

In another Christmas message, a Catholic priest, the Reverend Father Evarestus Offor, has warned those causing economic hardship to people, to desist from it or face God’s punishment.

The Priest who is in charge of the Saint Andrew’s Catholic Parish Umuoka, Enugu State decried the attitude of fuel dealers who caused hike and scarcity of the product during especially festive periods, describing them as unpatriotic.

The Reverend Father Offor however called on the Federal government to address economic challenges facing the country, for the good of the ordinary people.

The man of God urged Christians to pray and hope in God for divine intervention.

He prayed for the peace, progress and unity of the nation.

In a related development, Christmas has been described as the demonstration of love, as exemplified by the birth of Jesus Christ.

The Resident Pastor, Living Faith Commission, Winners Chapel Agbani Road, Enugu, Pastor Saviour Efanga stated this in a Christmas Message.

He called on Christians to reflect on the personality of Jesus Christ.

Pastor Efanga advised Nigerians to imbibe the love of God and work towards creating a better environment for all, to facilitate the drive towards building a great nation.

IFESINACHI UGWUEZE, SARAH CHIWENITE, JULIET UGWU, KEVIN EKEDIEGWU, VITALIS ECHEOZO, OBIORA EZE & CHINELO OZOALOR