It’s Christmas, again

In a world that is filled with unending crises and occasional episodes of respite, Christmas launches celebration galore for billions of people, with different carnivals and festive occasions. While some mark it with solemn sessions of carol singing and prayers, others opt for revelries. The season also encourages the exchange of gifts all around.  Pope […]

In a world that is filled with unending crises and occasional episodes of respite, Christmas launches celebration galore for billions of people, with different carnivals and festive occasions. While some mark it with solemn sessions of carol singing and prayers, others opt for revelries. The season also encourages the exchange of gifts all around.  Pope Francis for instance last Sunday lit the world’s largest Christmas tree, made of nearly 1,000 multi-coloured lights connected by more than 15 kilometres of electrical cable on the side of Mount Ingino near the medieval town of Gubbio in Umbria, central Italy, to accentuate the high spirit of the season.
Christians in Nigeria join the rest of the world to celebrate the season at a most trying time for the country. Beyond the imminence of general elections two months into the coming New Year, the nation is facing a complement of challenges that have largely dampened the celebration of the season. Several communities in the country are presently under siege by the Boko Haram insurgency, and have not known peace for a long time.
Others are wallowing away in severe conditions of privation; separated from home in hostile forest locations and refugee camps, for no fault of their own, courtesy of the enduring security challenges. This is apart from those who are mourning inconsolably, loved ones that have been lost to the crisis.
Easily recalled among several victims are the over 200 young school age girls, who were abducted from their college hostel last April, are still languishing in captivity under conditions that can only be imagined. They are perhaps the most enduring reminder of the perils of the times. The insurgents have systematically dehumanized and massacred hundreds in cold blood.
They are all God’s children and bona fide citizens of this country, for whom security of life and property as well as peace of mind remain legitimate rights. It is difficult to see how they will share in the spirit of Christmas in the face of their present conditions.
Beyond all this however, expectations over the forthcoming general elections have built to fever pitch, thereby giving the season an ambience of tension and concern for what may lay ahead,  given the history of political violence that often trail electoral activities.   
It is in the light of the present circumstances that this year’s anniversary should be marked with a circumspect disposition and sobriety. The complement of implacable traducers, who are proving to be relentlessly bloodthirsty in their words and conduct, and who seek to destroy lives in order to kill the joy of the season, cannot and should not be taken for granted.
 It is instructive that the police have warned citizens to avoid massing up in areas that may be targets of attacks. This is a precautionary measure that should be adhered to in good faith. The security agencies should however not resist the temptation to be overzealous in the discharge of their duties during the yuletide season. Nevertheless even as caution may be the watchword, members of the public should use the period to celebrate with friends and well-wishers and to also reflect on the situation in the country. Here is wishing all Nigerians a joyous Christmas season.