From left: Proto-Presbyter, Methodist Church Nigeria (MCN), Very Rev. Bamidele Osin; Secretary of Conference, MCN, Rt. Rev. Michael Akinwale; Prelate MCN, His Eminence Dr. Samuel Chukwumeka Kanu Uche; Bishop, Trinity Church Council, Rt. Rev. Omotayo Babalola and Prelate’s Chaplain, Very Rev. Jeremiah Shittu, during the 2020 December 25th Christmas Service at MCN Tinubu Square Lagos…yesterday
By Odinaka Uruakpa
The Prelate, Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence Dr. Samuel Chukwuemeka Uche, has admonished Nigerians to work together and demonstrate love for the growth and development of the country.
Giving the admonition while speaking to journalists on the celebration of 2020 Christmas, Dr. Uche emphasized that irrespective of political or religious differences, the most important thing should be the unity and peaceful co-existence of the people in the country.
Said he: “We have no other nation than Nigeria. We should work together and demonstrate love for our country, not minding the political party you belong to. It may be any party, l am a Nigerian in the first place, l don’t support any party and l am not against any party; what is paramount to me is Nigeria, the integration, the development and the progress of my nation so that everybody will fill that they are part of the country. There should not be marginalization, politicization; we should work to build a virile nation”.
While speaking on the ban of Cross Over Night this year by the government due to the second wave of coronavirus, the Prelate revealed that the Methodist Church would conduct the Night this year on Zoom.
Said the cleric: “This year is a peculiar year, l am with the government; in fact, our own Cross Over Night will be conducted on zoom. People will be in the comfort of their homes and participate”.
Said the Prelate on the lessons of Christmas: “Christmas is grace. It’s about the grace of God in saving us from sin; giving us something we don’t merit, sending His son Jesus to save us and redeem us.
“We owe it as an obligation to make love go round in our nation, to be selfless in everything we do. We should actually work for the unity of this nation; we don’t want the nation to be divided along tribal, ethnic or political considerations.”
While tasking citizens on patriotism, the Prelate asked the people to share love for humanity, especially to the less privilege in the society.
“We must be patriotic enough to realize that we are people with one destiny. God has come to share love for humanity, therefore, we have to share love especially with the less privileged in order to gather mass wealth.
“Big people die in corona virus, l did not see them buried with car or dollar; they went like that. When we are here, what will do is to better the humility around us especially the less privileged people .That is the Christmas l know. God descended to demonstrate His love through his only son Jesus Christ so that we may have life and have life abundantly. So, we must share life; share peace, love and kindness and make society better”.
The cleric also stated that Christmas is every day, adding that the festival should not be limited to a particular period.
Said he: “For me, every day is Christmas. The gift of God continues; every day of our life we are doing Christmas because the grace of God has come to all, and is available to eternity. We should celebrate Christmas all the days. Today is the D-day, the festival Day; we should also be very happy about it”.
