As Lagos prepares for the festive season, the message from the state’s leadership extends beyond seasonal greetings to a profound call for societal reflection and collective action. The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudasiru Obasa, has issued a Christmas appeal that intertwines spiritual virtues with practical civic responsibility, framing them as essential pillars for the nation’s progress.
In his Christmas message to residents, Speaker Obasa, representing Agege Constituency I, emphasized that the celebration of Christ’s birth is fundamentally an occasion to embody the core principles Jesus lived by. “Christmas is all about peace and forgiveness,” Obasa stated, urging citizens to actively be their “brothers’ keepers.” He elaborated that the transformative power of the season lies in adopting a triad of virtues: love, tolerance, and personal sacrifice.
“Jesus Christ lived a life of love, tolerance and engaged in personal sacrifice for others to thrive,” Obasa said. “If we can take after him in these three special attributes, this country will continue to witness development, growth, and economic revival.” This connection is crucial; it suggests that national development is not solely a governmental function but is deeply rooted in the ethical fabric of its people. Tolerance, in this context, becomes the social glue in a diverse metropolis like Lagos, while sacrifice implies a willingness to prioritize communal well-being over individual gain.
Moving from principle to practice, the Speaker’s message seamlessly transitions into a charge for civic duty and security. He called on residents to be law-abiding and to “eschew violence and desist from any action or utterances that can cause chaos and confusion.” In a direct appeal for community-led safety, Obasa emphasized, “We should always be security conscious… and assist security agencies in fighting crimes by being vigilant.” He advised promptly reporting suspicious activities, framing public vigilance not as an option but as a shared responsibility for maintaining order.
Obasa also took a moment to acknowledge the resilience of Nigerians, thanking them for their “perseverance and continued support” for the All Progressives Congress (APC) administrations at both federal and state levels. He offered assurances that the government remains committed to “putting in place measures and programmes to uplift the people,” while humbly acknowledging, “Like Oliver Twist, we will continue to seek for your support and prayers.” This reference to Charles Dickens’s ever-asking orphan creates a metaphor for continuous, collaborative governance.
Ultimately, this Christmas message from Lagos reframes the holiday as more than a day of celebration. It is presented as a timely reminder and a catalyst: a call to internalize forgiveness, actively practice love and tolerance, and fulfill one’s role in safeguarding the community. It posits that the path to a thriving Lagos and Nigeria is paved with the daily choices of its citizens, making the spirit of Christmas a year-round blueprint for societal harmony and progress.
Edited by Buhari Bolaji
