Cleric Tasks Christians On Christmas

Rev. Dawuk Danfulani, the Director of Army Chaplain (Protestant), has advised Christians to use the yuletide for sober reflection on issues that would enhance the relationship among Nigerians.

Danfulani, a Lt.-Col. in the Nigerian Army, made the appeal at the 2010 Christmas Carol of Nine Lessons, organised by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika.

He said Christmas meant different things to different people.

“To some people, it is a time for rest; to some it is a time to pay attention to tradition and culture; while to others, it is a time to eat whatever they have not eaten since January.

“Christmas must be celebrated meaningfully. If you look at the scenario of the coming of Christ; His works, death, resurrection and ascension, has something unique.

“All these were to give hope to man. As we celebrate Christmas, we should look at our society and the nation at large and see what we can do to make Christmas meaningful to those of us who are celebrating it,” Danfulani added. 

On his part, the Chief of Army Staff said everyone had a reason to be thankful to God. 

Ihejirika said the challenges ahead, especially in the New Year were enormous and could only be overcome through God’s guidance.

“The New Year as we are all aware, holds a lot of promises for the future of our nation, especially the challenges of a successful election, which is one of the major indices of national development.

“So, I enjoin all us to be more prayerful. We should rededicated our lives and efforts to taking our nation to the next level,” he said.

The army chief said unbelievers had no place in the military, adding, “you are either a Christian or you are a Muslim, if you cannot fit into any of these two, you have no place here.

“That is why in our barracks, we make provisions for Protestants, Catholics or Muslims.

“This is why when I assumed leadership of the army three months ago; I stated that my vision is to transform the army into a force that would be better able to deal with contemporary challenges.

“The challenge of banditry, ethno-religious conflicts, kidnapping, militancy, extremism and all sorts of problems, are the areas in which we have concentrated our training in the last three months,” he said.