Our worst, best Christmas, eminent Kwarans speak
Christmas is one of those festivities that just seems to be filled with cheer and wonder. It is a day that is expected to be filled with happiness. However, some prominent Kwarans recall their worst and bestย ย Christmas ever.
By Joke Adeniyi-Jackson, Mumini Abdulkareem, Denis Matthew
Best Christmas will be this year – Chairman, Ekiti Local Government Area Yinka Dallas
It is certainly this year because Almighty God has put me in a position to serve the people by making me the chairman of Ekiti Local Government through the support of everybody including our leaders and the electorate and I will work hard to do my best to ensure that at the end of our journey, we will have cause to return all glory to God and the people pleased with our stewardship.
Securing lives – Kwara Police Public Relations Officer,ย ย DSP Ajayi Okasanmi
Christmas is a religious festival and police work is not in anyway attached to religion. All police men will be at workย ย to do our job, to make life and property safe.
The irony of our job is that when others are enjoying their Christmas we will be on duty.
Worst Christmas was when I lost my mum –ย ย Head of Service, Kwara State, Susan Module Oluwole
Worst Christmas was in 2014 following loss of my mother. The Christmas celebration was grim without her. It was the first Christmas I would ever celebrate without my mum. The best Christmas celebration was during my childhood.
When I looked forward to wearing new clothes and eating rice and chicken. As an adult I want toย ย celebrateย ย my Christmas impacting positively on the lives of people, spreading the love of Christ and giving hope to the hopeless.
Worst Christmas was when my bossom friend died -Kwara ALGON Chairman, Olatunji Omokanye
This was in 1998 which was the year when a very close friend whom I called my twin brother and we were so close, Engineer Yisa Amosun, died in November 20.
Best
This year is my best because this is the year I have had all what I have been praying for and that is why I christened it โIrorun lobadeโ
Best Christmas celebrated was 2 yrs ago -Otunba Taiwo Joseph, Kwara State Commissioner for Environment and Forestry
I celebrated with my family members in my country home, Eruku in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. It was fun filled as I witnessed many thrilling cultural activities that gives me nostalgic feelings whenever I recall the event.
Best Christmas was year I had my wedding ceremony – Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Kwara State, Henry Bilesanmi
My best Christmas was after my wedding years ago. Every Christmas brings nostalgicย ย ย memories of my wedding ceremony.
Worst Christmas was when I was hospitalised – Matthew Okedare, Deputy Speaker
My best Christmas was in 1981 when I finished from teachers college. There was one of the students I taught in primary school who impacted my life greatly. I was walking on the road in Jebba and about to cross the road coming from Ilorin to Kaduna when suddenly an army Land Rover packed and beckoned on me to come. I ran and I was chased but I later waited that what was my offence. They took me to the car and then it was already a scene as everybody in the town had gathered. On getting to the vehicle, he asked if I know him and removed his spectacle and I said no. He said I taught him in primary school. He said he was laughing while all the drama lasted. He told me he doesn’t have money but said I should manage N20,000. Then I was earning N1,800 and we were also being owed salaries like now.ย ย From the money I bought rice, goat, all the ingredient needed and clothes for my family for the Christmas andย ย feed those around me.
Worst
This was in 2010. I had accident with my eyes in October and was operated upon. But three days to Christmas, I began to feel excruciating pain on it and I had to spend the Christmas in the hospital. I had prepared very highly for it and bought ram instead chicken, Turkey or cow meat but the ram was not slaughtered because myself as the leader of the house was not around. That was my worst Christmas.
How we’ll celebrate Christmas
It’s about four days to Christmas, but already the festivities have begun. Some eminent personalities revealed to Matthew Denis, Kayode Adeoti and Ahmed Ajikobi how they will celebrate this year’s yuletide.
I’ll be at work – Commandant NSCDC, Adeyinka Fasiu
Before I became anย ย officer, I used to celebrate with friends and family,ย ย but nowย ย Iย ย celebrate my Christmasย ย at workย ย ensuring that people celebrate and enjoy the day in peace. Every officer in this command will be on duty to protect life and property.
This year’s celebration will be the best – Hon Funsho Abodunrin, Member, Kwara State House of Assrmbly
This Christmas is a very special one for me because it was when I gave out my third daughter in marriage and all our guests who cameย ย returned to their destinations in peace. There wasย ย plenty to eat and drink at the ceremony.
Wine, dine with less privileged – Felicia Faremi, Special Assistant to Kwara Governor on Special Duties.
Christmas is a season to show love to the entire society, it’s a season to dine and wine with the people most especially the less privileged in the society. It is also a season to pray to God Almighty as we approach the end of the year for the grace to celebrate new year gloriously. I don’t really have a worst Christmas celebration since I usually mark it with my families, friends and the entire society. As an Evangelist, I have time to show love to people, preach and pray for them. I also thank God for placing in the position I’m in today.
Travel to Ghana – Winifred Akagha, Managing Director, Capital Insurance Company, Ilorin Branch
My Christmas celebration comes with different packages. For this year’s celebration, I’ll be travelling to my hometown Owerri on Thursday to mark it with my family members and then leave for Ghana with my kids on 27th and come back to Nigeria on 31st then come back to Ilorin.ย ย It’s a period to reunite with family members.
Born on Christmas Day
Christmas is a day when families get together and hundreds of millions of Christians across the world celebrate, but some people have other reason to be excited it’s their birthday.
They speak to JOKE ADENIYI-JACKSON on how it feel sharing birthday with Jesus Christ.
Omowaye Abiodun Emmanuel: I am highly elated to be born on this glorious D-day.ย I am always happy and being celebrated by the people around me and byย ย well-wishers. My unforgettable day was the day I discovered that my wife was born on this specialย ย day too. I took that as one of the factors but the sole factor is the genuine love will shared together. This great festive period is the best Christmas I will ever celebrated because God has been so faithful, gracious and merciful to me and my family. I wish to celebrate this Xmas with my family and mostly in the presence of God.
It’s a great privilege – Olabisi Adetilewa Akande:ย It’s a great honour and privilege to be born on the same day with our Lord Jesus Christ. The virtues that I have imbibed from Him are patience, love, compassion and giving.
I’ve always felt special from childhood because my parents always celebrated my birthday but growing up I realised that it’s not just my birthday but that of Christ (Christmas).
The best Christmas I ever celebrated was the first birthday as a married woman.
I planned to celebrate this year’s birthday with children in an orphanage home.
Our wish for Yuletide – Children
In most parts of the world, children often take the centre stage in Christmas celebration. Their love for firecrackers, visits to Santa Claus, wearing new clothes, visiting places and friends make the season a unique one as parents do all they can to provide these to make the children happy.
In the light of this AHMED SULEIMAN asks children in Ilorin, Kwara State what they desire for the yuletide.
Faith Edewo, 5 years, Divine Speed Nursery and Primary school.ย ย I want to celebrate Christmas at Shoprite. I want them to buy me shoes, clothes and take me to Shoprite.
Christian Uchenna, Five years, Gifted Kiddies Nursery and Primary School.ย ย I want my parent to take me for shopping
I want my mum and dad to buy me chicken, clothes and take me to shopping and they should pay my school fee.
Kehinde Daniel Olarewaju , 10 years: I want to visit fun places .ย For this Christmas I want my Daddy to change ourย ย bicycle tyre and alsoย ย want him to take us for shopping at Shoprite or to fun places.
Ayomide Oluwafemi, 7years, God’s will Kiddies Academy.ย I want my mum to buy me clothes. I want my mum to pay my school fee, buy me clothes and shoes.
Taiye Deborah Olarewaju, 10 years: I wish my dad acquires a Jeep.ย ย My expectation from God for Daddy in 2018 is for him to buyย ย Jeep.
