“My message to Nigerians this Christmas is love your neighbour as yourself which is the royal and divine law. Once we love our neighbours, there will be less insecurity and everyone will be his or her brothers keeper”
By Nudoiba Ojen
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; the Oore of Otun Ekiti and Paramount Ruler of Mobaland, Oba Adekunle Adeayo Adeagbo were among dignitaries at the 2026 Christmas Carol organised by the First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu.
The roll call of dignitaries included prominent traditional rulers including the Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III; the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole; the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunmoye III; and the Olu Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle.
The dignitaries also included former president, Olusegun Obasanjo; former Head of State and elder statesman, Yakubu Gowon; Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele; and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
The President of the Court of Appeal, Bolna’an Dongban-Mensem; Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa; Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun; and the Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Oliver Aba; were also in attendance
The occasion was the 2025 Service of Nine Lessons and Carols with the theme, “Emmanuel: God with us,” which held at Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
This third annual event hosted by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Tinubu, unfolded under a canopy of twinkling Christmas lights, with the 100-man mass choir of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) filling the State House with harmonious carols that blended reverence and festivity.
The Methodist Prelate, Aba, urged Nigerians to embrace selfless service and rally with an “all hands on deck” spirit to rebuild trust, fortify national unity and extend a lifeline to those reeling from the country’s economic and social challenges.
Cultural resonance came via traditional ‘Elu Agogo’ rhythms. The joyous finale rang out with ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’.
The Oore, Oba Adeagbo, said the presence of two former leaders of the country, Gowon and Obasanjo “shows love for country and loyalty to only place we all call home”.
The monarch congratulated Nigerians, saying, “As we celebrate Christmas which symbolizes love, we should embrace peace and love our neighbours as ourselves..
“My message to Nigerians this Christmas is love your neighbour as yourself which is the royal and divine law. Once we love our neighbours, there will be less insecurity and everyone will be his or her brothers keeper,” Oba Adeagbo said.
The Oore wishes all Nigerians, the people of the Southwest, Ekiti State, Otun Ekiti and Mobaland a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
