Otti expresses gratitude to Abians for supporting him
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia.
Abia state Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has thanked Abia people and residents for their sustained support to his administration.
Governor Otti who spoke at the 2024 Christmas Carol of Nine Lessons organised by the state government at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Saviour, described Christmas as a period of sober reflection on the love of God for mankind and a time to thank the Creator.
According to the Governor, the arguments about whether Christ was born on 25th December or not was not very important, rather what was important was that Christ was actually born. “It is just an opportunity for us to meet together and thank God,” he said.
“There have been arguments about whether Christ was born on the 25th December or not. Forget the arguments. He was born.
“So, if you agree that he was born, then we have taken out 25th of December to celebrate him,” Gov. Otti said.
The Governor declared that henceforth, Abia State Government Carol of Nine Lessons would be an annual event.
“Last year, we struggled with it, we thought we should wait until we have done one year. So, having done it today and it turned out a successful one, it has become an annual event,” the Governor declared.
The Governor commended the Organizing Committee led by the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr. Mathew Ekwuruibe, the fathers of faith, various choirs and singing groups, as well as Abians, for coming out en masse to join the state government in celebrating the birth of Christ. He therefore wished everyone a Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year, in advance.
Speaking also, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, while welcoming everyone to the event, noted that as God brought Christ to restore man, so did He send Governor Alex Otti to restore the lost glory of Abia State.
Ajagba said that within 18 months of Governor Otti”s administration, Abia State was being celebrated all over the world and was taking her position as God’s truly Own State.
Earlier in a sermon, the Archbishop of Methodist of Church Nigeria, Umuahia Arch-Diocese, Most Rev. Chibuzor Opoko, had highlighted the essence of Christmas.
Archbishop Opoko likened Governor Otti to what the Lord did in bringing Christ to be the Saviour of mankind and described the Governor as a Liberator of Abia State.
The Arcubishop said that God brought light to Abia through the election of Governor Otti and declared that darkness cannot overshadow light in the state again.
The nine lessons were read by Governor Alex Otti, his wife, Mrs. Priscilla Otti; Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa; the Catholic Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Most Rev. Michael Ukpong, among others, while many choral groups led in the carols.
The event which attracted many dignitaries across the state, also featured cutting of celebration cake, as well as the cutting of the birthday cake of the wife of the Governor, whose birthday coincided with the programme.
