Gov.??Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has charged the people of the state ?to imbibe the spirit of love, humility, peace and selfless service which the birth of Jesus Christ symbolised.
He gave the charge while speaking at the 2012 Christmas Carol Service and Nine Lessons held ?at the Remembrance Arcade, Government House, Ibadan.
The governor also stressed the need for Christians to be benevolent by giving to those in need and by forgiving those who offended them in any way.
“Let us try and forgive those who offended us ; for those of you who I might have offended knowingly or unknowingly, particularly those of you who have had your kiosks on the streets where you are not supposed to trade removed, I pray for forgiveness,’’ he said.
The governor called on leaders to always seek wisdom and courage to do what was ?right for the progress, unity and development of the country.
He commended the spiritual leaders in the state for their continued prayers which he said had contributed to the success of his administration so far.
Ajimobi noted that the state had been enjoying relative peace since the inception of his administration, adding that inspite of the fact that there were three political parties in government, there had been peaceful co-existence between the executive and the legislature. ?
In his sermon, the Archbishop of Ibadan Diocese of Anglican Communion, Rev. Segun Okubadejo, called on leaders and political office holders to seek the wisdom of God in directing the affairs of the people.
He said that those at the corridors of power must be just and humble while exercising the power of authority entrusted in them.
The cleric also? urged ?them to imbibe the virtues of simplicity and fairness as demonstrated by Jesus Christ.
Lessons were read at the occasion by dignitaries including the wife of the governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, the Deputy Governor, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo and the Chief of Staff, Dr??Adeolu Akande.
Others who read lessons were ?the state Chairman of ACN, Chief Akin Oke and the Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon.??Babatunde Olaniyan.
Prayers were also offered for the governor, the state, civil servants and the entire people of the state.(NAN)?