Pomp and Pageantry as Presidential Carol Returns to the Villa
By Jerry Adesewo
The Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa took center stage on Tuesday night, hosting the 2023 Service of Nine Lessons and Carol. This marked the first of its kind under the presidency of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who assumed office in May 2023.
In recent years, the annual Carol had been held at the National Christian Centre before making a return to the villa, thanks to the initiative of the First Lady, Senator (Pastor) Oluremi Tinubu, who stood in for the family.
Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, and his wife Victoria, along with Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, and his wife, Dame Patience, headlined the rich list of dignitaries and government functionaries at the Carol. The attendees included the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Chief Justice of the Federation, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Head of Service, Dr. Folashade Durotimi Esan, Chief of Defence Staff, General Chris Musa, along with Ministers, Legislators, and no fewer than 30 diplomats.
Traditional rulers at the Carol service included the Ooni of Ife, His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr. Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja III, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alred Nnaemeka Achebe, the Olu of Warri, Oba Tshola Emiko, the Ogiame Atuwase III and the Jaja of Opobo Kingdom, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja.
The event was interspersed with heartwarming ministrations in songs by the Mass Choir of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). General Yakubu Gowon, General Chris Musa, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, Honourable Benjamin Kalu, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and, of course, the First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, who read lesson 6, all took turns reading from the nine lessons.
The sermon, delivered by CAN President Most Reverend Daniel Okoh, was anchored on the themes of forgiveness and reconciliation, adding a profound spiritual dimension to the festive event.
So the presidential Carol was stopped under Buhari? If this is true, I think I commend this government for resuscitating it even though I still don’t see its benefit to national development.