By OKOSUN OKHUELEIGBE
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj Gen Henry Isidore Edet has called on Nigerians and members of the Armed Forces in particular to imbibe the spirit of sharing the little God has given to them with their family members and friends in the spirit of Christmas celebrations.
He said this at the 65 Battalion Parade Ground, Bonny Cantonment, Victoria Island at the weekend during the 81 Division Christmas Carol of Nine lessons 2015.
Gen Edet who read the 8th Lesson taking from the book of Matthew 2 v 1-12 entitled: “The wise men led by the star to the saviour,” harped on giving and sharing as the intrinsic value of Christmas.
According to him, “The real message of Christmas is sharing and giving. We decided to share the little we have with the barracks community. When I was told that the Division usually have Christmas carol at GOC’s house, I told them that we must do it differently this year by taking it to the barracks so that we can share with the families of soldiers and loved ones.
“Officers and soldiers fighting insurgents in the North East are exposed to cold and harsh weather conditions and some have paid the supreme sacrifice. The only way is to show love and share the little one we have with their families is by bringing the carol night to the barracks. We pray that God keep those that are still serving safe and give them victory over insurgents.
“The essence of this carol is to bring the families of soldiers together and share with them. For the widows, whose husbands have passed on fighting insurgents, it is to tell them that they are not alone that we are with them and God is with them too. They are not forgotten and we are behind them and will continue to care for them.
“As always, it is not only at the period of Christmas, we reach out to them but at all the times; individually and institutionally. So, whatever we have including food items and other things necessary and are essential for them at this period, we distribute to them,” the GOC added.
He encouraged those at the front in the North East to continue the fight as the whole nation is behind them. While making allusion to the motto of the Nigerian Army, he added that “Victory is from God alone. God will give us victory against the terrorist”
In his Christmas message, Lt Col MG Udotong of 81 Division Chaplain Service (Roman Catholic) said Christmas celebration is predicated on Christ love for the world. Therefore, any Christmas without act of sharing is “meaningless and baseless.”
The carol night had in attendance Brig Gen YP Auta, Commander, 81 Div Garrison, senior officers, families of soldiers, civilians and the wife of the GOC and NAOWA President, Mrs Eno-Obong Amelia Edet who read the 6th lesson titled: “The story of the Birth of Jesus.”
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