By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Abuja

After several years of absence at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, former President Olusegun Obasanjo made a shocking appearance at the 2025 Christmas Carol hosted by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu at the Conference Hall of State House on Friday evening. 

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Obasanjo not only attended the Christmas Carol, but also read the Second Lesson which was taken from Genesis Chapter 22, while the former head of state, Gen. Yakubu Gowon read the First Lesson from Genesis chapter 3.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi, who brought together some of the past leaders and other political heavy weight read the Ninth Lesson taken from John 1:1–14, affirming the Word made flesh.

Other readers at the Carol of Nine Lessons were President of the Senate, represented by the Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume, President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Bolna’an Dongban-Mensem, Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa and the governor of Ogun state, Dapo Abiodun. 

In his exhortation, Prelate of the Methodist Church, Dr. Oliver Ali Aba, urged Nigerians to embrace selfless service, faith-fuelled unity and an “all hands on deck” approach to rebuilding trust and restoring hope amid the nation’s economic and security challenges.

With the theme: “Emmanuel: God With Us,” Aba described the Christmas message as a reminder of God’s abiding presence with the nation through seasons of uncertainty.

“Jesus did not come to be far away from us. He came to be present… God is with us in the valley, in the storms of life and in victory,” Aba said, assuring Nigerians that divine presence endures “in season and out of season.”

Drawing attention to inflation, insecurity and social divisions, the cleric called for collective responsibility and sacrificial leadership. 

“As a people, as a nation, when you are worried, God is with you as a Prince of Peace. Today, the Prince of Peace is ready to give us peace,” he said, urging leaders and citizens alike to choose selflessness over narrow interests.

Aba anchored the theme Emmanuel on God’s closeness to humanity, stressing that national renewal requires love, peace and service modeled after Christ’s sacrifice. 

Quoting John 3:16, he framed the season as an expression of God’s selfless love and challenged Nigerians to recommit to unity. 

“We must come together so as we are celebrating Christ, Nigeria can be better,” he said.

The service was the third annual carol hosted by the First Lady. 

Vanguard News