81 Division Ushers In Christmas With Carol Of Nine Lessons

Christmas Carol and songs rend the air over the weekend as different choirs from the 81 Division, Nigerian Army rendered sonorous songs to ushers in Christmas.

The Carol which was held at the Hippo House at Oyekan Abayomi Street, Ikoyi, was graced by corporate individuals, top military heirrachy and different church groups.

In his Christmas Goodwill message, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Maj Gen Olubunmi Irefin called on officers and men to remain apolitical noting that with the support enjoyed from the COAS, “a lot is expected from us as we move into the new year. We must prepare our minds to be loyal, re-energized and dedicate ourselves to the service  of this country.

“We must remain apolitical, and must do that which we must do to make everyone within our area to be happy. Sometimes,  it might be in form of scarifice from individual because that is the path we have taken so that this country would be at peace.

“At any point during the incoming  year, we are called upon either for rotation or any other duty, please let’s put in our strength, let’s go with all the courage and be the best at all times. I appeal to officers and men within the Lagos Area of Responsibility to continue  to do the good work they are doing.

The GOC, who read the first lesson from Genesis Chapter 3: 8-15 further admonished Christians to uphold the tenets of good neighbourliness while making individual scarifices that examplifies God.

The Director General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu who was one of the guest, called on Lagosians to be security conscious during and after the yuletide period.

Particularly, he stated that emergency is everybody’s business and people should take early warning seriously and guide against habits that could cause disaster within their dwelling areas.

Also, the Chairperson, Nigerian Army Officer’s Wives Association (NAOWA), 81 Division chapter, Mrs Olayemi Irefin, took the 6th lesson from the book of Matthew 1: 18-25 which captured the story of the birth of Jesus.

On his part, the Brig Gen (Very Rev Father) Iroegbu, Director, Directorate of Chaplain Sevices while explaining the genealogy of Christmas Carol lesson, said that it started in 1918, after the World War 1. He, therefore, admonished Christians to contribute their quota to make their environment a better place.

“Christ came so that our society can be better. In similar vein, we can make our society and evironment better than we met it. Christmas is about love and sharing what you have; identify with one another and being truthful with one another,” he reiterated.