Amanze Chinonye
By focusing less on pageantry and more on message, the 2025 Service of Nine Lessons and Carols at the Presidential Villa on Friday turned into a subtle but pointed national reflection on leadership, unity and sacrifice, with the rare public appearance of former President Olusegun Obasanjo alongside former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon giving the evening added political and symbolic weight, Prime Business Africa reports.
Hosted for the third consecutive year by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the event drew an unusual convergence of past and present power blocs traditional, political, judicial and religious against the backdrop of Nigeria’s deepening economic and social strains.
The presence of Obasanjo, attending a state function at the Villa for the first time since President Tinubu’s inauguration, underscored the broader subtext of the evening: a call for collective responsibility beyond partisan divides. Alongside him were Gowon; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; top-ranking legislators; governors; security chiefs; and senior jurists.
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While the service followed the traditional Anglican structure of nine biblical lessons interwoven with carols, it was the exhortation by the Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Oliver Aba, that framed the gathering as more than a seasonal ritual. Speaking on the theme “Emmanuel: God With Us,” Aba urged Nigerians especially those in positions of authority to embrace selfless service as a practical response to inflation, insecurity and eroding public trust.
“God’s presence is not passive,” the cleric said, interpreting Emmanuel as a call to action rather than comfort. He argued that national renewal would require leaders and citizens alike to act beyond personal interest, insisting that unity and compassion remain Nigeria’s most potent, if underutilised, resources.
The service itself doubled as a display of institutional balance. Readings were shared among key national figures: Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, Court of Appeal President Justice Bolna’an Dongban-Mensem, Defence Minister Gen. Christopher Musa (retd), and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun. Each lesson, drawn from prophetic and nativity scriptures, reinforced themes of accountability, peace and hope.
Musically, the 100-member mass choir of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) anchored the ceremony, blending traditional hymns such as Once in Royal David’s City and O Come, All Ye Faithful with celebratory carols that filled the State House with a mix of reverence and optimism.
In her role as host and final reader of the ninth lesson from the Gospel of John, the First Lady emphasised the spiritual foundation of the event, closing a service that subtly linked faith with civic duty.
Beyond the candles and carols, the evening stood out as a rare moment of cross-generational and cross-institutional convergence one that used the Christmas story not only to celebrate faith, but to quietly challenge Nigeria’s leaders to match ceremony with conscience.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
