Presidential Carol: CAN President Advocates for Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Presidential Carol: CAN President Advocates for Forgiveness and Reconciliation
By Jerry Adesewo
In a heartfelt sermon delivered at the Presidential Carol service on Tuesday night, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Most Rev’d Daniel C. Okoh urged Nigerians to embrace forgiveness and foster a spirit of reconciliation.
The clergy emphasised the need for the nation to move beyond the bitterness of past elections and focus on the reality of governance.
“There can only be one president at a time. Elections have come and gone, and it is now time to face the reality of governance. We must let go of our bitterness and begin to embrace reconciliation. In the spirit of Christmas and in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I beseech you to reach out to your ‘enemies’ with a message of reconciliation,” he passionately admonished.
The clergyman went further to charge Nigerians to unite around their leaders and seize every opportunity to contribute to the nation’s progress. “Serve the nation and make Nigeria great again,” he urged, highlighting the collective responsibility citizens bear in nation-building.
Commending the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for extending gestures of reconciliation to some political opponents in the composition of his government, Reverend Okoh emphasised that, as the father and mother of the nation, there is a compelling need to extend such gestures to the aggrieved. He asserted, “There couldn’t have been a better time to do this than now.”
Expounding on the reason for the season, the sermon underscored the significance of Christmas as a time of joy, love, and hope. It emphasized the message of peace and goodwill towards all, encouraging individuals to reflect on these virtues and embody them in their interactions with others.
In his prayer for the first family and Nigeria, Reverend Okoh expressed optimism that the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation would permeate the nation, fostering healing and unity. The call for embracing the true meaning of Christmas resonated, encouraging a spirit of togetherness and shared responsibility for building a better and more harmonious Nigeria.
On behalf of the association, the CAN President then led his executives to present a special Christmas Greeting Cards to the First family.
