At the annual Service of Nine Lessons and Carols hosted by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, religious and political leaders emphasized unity and selfless service as the path to national renewal.
The event, themed ‘Emmanuel: God With Us,’ marked a notable appearance by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, his first at a Villa state function since President Bola Tinubu took office.
In his exhortation, the Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Oliver Aba, stressed that the message of ‘Emmanuel’ signifies God’s unwavering presence amid Nigeria’s challenges, from inflation to insecurity.
He called for a collective, faith-driven effort to rebuild trust and lift the nation. “We must come together so that as we celebrate Christ, Nigeria can be better,” Aba stated, challenging both leaders and citizens to choose the side of selflessness.
The service featured scripture readings by prominent figures including former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. The First Lady concluded the scriptural readings with the Ninth Lesson from the Gospel of John. A 100-member choir from the Christian Association of Nigeria provided hymns and carols throughout the ceremony, underscoring the theme of divine peace and communal hope.
Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.
Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.
He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.
Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).
He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.
He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.
Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.
