By Adewole Kehinde
In 2015, exactly on December 18th, the Nigeria Police held its Christmas Carol and Night of Nine Lessons with the theme “The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6) at the International Peace Keeping Training Centre, FHQ, Abuja.
Yes, the police have been observing Christmas Carol and the Night of Nine Lessons, but Friday, December 22, 2023, was unique and, outstanding.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, in his unique ways of doing things, said that the 2023 Christmas Carol must intimate Nigerians on the need to promote peaceful coexistence during and after the Christmas celebrations, hence the Christmas Carol and Night of Nine Lessons.
The story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus is told in nine short Bible readings or lessons from Genesis, the prophetic books, and the Gospels, interspersed with the singing of Christmas carols, hymns, and choir anthems.
The atmosphere at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja, was heavenly, with the stage background and the choirs in their hundreds making the evening unique.
In his words, IGP Egbetokun said, “This is the first of its type by the Nigeria Police Force; the Christmas Carol is an avenue to bring Nigerians together to celebrate and be encouraged to live peacefully with one another. Before this, Carol, we have made our adequate deployments across the country to ensure that Nigerians are safe and that they enjoy the festivities in peace and harmony.”
One of the most interesting parts of the night was when the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, led the mass choir to sing “To God be the glory.” The IGP displayed his unique talent on the microphone. I mistook him for Lou Fellingham, the original composer of “To God be the Glory.“
Another interesting aspect to me was that when the young Emma Sax took over the stage, the atmosphere at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja, became charged with almost all the guests dancing to the rhythm of the sax. The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, had to request the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, to allow the young Emma Sax to perform again.
The Christmas Carol and Night of Nine Lessons had in attendance dignitaries from all walks of life, including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Chief Adebayo Olawale Edun; Minister of FCT, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike; Chairman, Police Service Commission (PSC), IGP Solomon Arase (retd); Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa; Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla; and former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, amongst others.
I hope that the Christmas Carol and Night of Nine Lessons will be sustained in this unique way.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to the Inspector General of Police and the entire police personnel.
Adewole Kehinde is the publisher of Swift Reporters and can be reached at 08166240846. E-mail: kennyadewole@gmail.com
