In a heartfelt Christmas message that transcended mere seasonal greetings, the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Dr. Danladi Jatau, delivered a powerful sermon on the core societal values essential for communal harmony and progress. His address, delivered during a service at the ECWA GoodNews Church in Garaku, Kokona Local Government Area, served as both a spiritual reflection and a civic blueprint for the people of Nasarawa State and Nigeria at large.
The Timeless Message of Christmas: More Than Celebration
Dr. Jatau anchored his message in the profound significance of Christmas, framing it not just as a historical commemoration but as an active period of gratitude, prayer, and renewal of faith. He emphasized that the birth of Jesus Christ symbolizes God’s ultimate act of love—a gift that mandates a reciprocal duty among humanity. “Christmas is a period for us to show ourselves love, affection and give to the needy in the society,” he stated, urging citizens to move beyond festivity to purposeful action. This perspective reframes the Yuletide from a passive holiday into an active season of social and spiritual engagement.
A Four-Pillar Framework for Societal Well-being
The Speaker’s call was structured around four interconnected pillars:
- Love as Action: Extending beyond emotion, love was presented as the foundational principle for human interaction, essential for building trust and community cohesion.
- Peace as a Prerequisite for Development: Dr. Jatau explicitly linked peaceful coexistence to the success of governance and public projects, calling for continued support for Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration. This highlights the practical reality that without peace, government initiatives and investments struggle to take root.
- Unity in Diversity: He urged tolerance “irrespective of affiliations,” a critical message in Nigeria’s pluralistic society, where ethnic and religious differences can sometimes be exploited. True unity, he implied, is the bedrock of a resilient state.
- Alms Giving as Social Justice: This was a central, actionable theme. The Speaker argued that sharing with the less privileged does more than provide temporary relief; it “gives them a sense of belonging” and tangibly “improves their standard of living.” This frames charity not as pity, but as an investment in human dignity and social stability.
Leadership by Example: A Substantial Commitment
Moving beyond rhetoric, Dr. Jatau demonstrated tangible commitment by donating N1,460,000 for the development of the ECWA GoodNews Church. This act of giving sets a powerful precedent, challenging other public figures and citizens of means to match words with substantive support for community institutions. It underscores the principle that leadership in generosity inspires broader civic responsibility.
Theological Foundation and Civic Duty
The Reverend-in-Charge, Rev. Bitrus Kaya, provided the scriptural anchor for the day’s message, drawing from John 3:16. He connected divine love to human obligation, stating, “As Christ loves us, we should also love one another.” He further reinforced the call to alms-giving, linking it to divine blessing, and emphasized forgiveness as a necessary virtue for both spiritual peace and societal harmony. This dual emphasis from both a political and religious leader created a powerful, unified narrative: faith-based values are not separate from, but essential to, the functioning of a healthy society.
The Lasting Impact: A Call for Sustained Values
The combined messages from the pulpit and the podium present a holistic vision. The Yuletide season becomes a starting point for a year-round ethos. The challenge laid before Christians and all Nigerians is to embed these values—love expressed through action, the active pursuit of peace, unity forged through tolerance, and generosity as a tool for equity—into daily life. In a state and nation often navigating complex social fractures, this call for a return to fundamental, unifying principles offers a timeless and practical path forward, reminding everyone that the spirit of Christmas holds the potential to inform and transform public life long after the decorations are put away.
Reported by Awayi Kuje for NAN. Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani.
