Democratic dividends: Prophet Abiara lauds Aregbesola

The General Evangelist of the Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide, Prophet Samuel Abiara, has commended the giant stride of the administration of the Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
Abiara, of the Agbala Itura fame, thumbed-up Aregbesola’s achievement in the past two years when he paid a courtesy call on the governor in Osogbo, the state capital, on Wednesday as part of activities to mark the Christmas festivity.
He said the achievements of the government are a thing of joy to him and numerous others from the state.
He listed road construction, creation of employment, the OYES scheme, clean environment and other areas of governance as some of the laudable programmes the governor has instituted.
Abiara, who hails from Erinmo in the state, also noted that the care of elderly persons by the government is reminiscent of what Christ lived for, which is to show compassion to the people.
Abiara said: “I have come to say hello and thank you for the good work you have been doing.
“The general cleaning of the expressway, the environmental cleaning in the state, the road construction and employment opportunities, are all wonderful things of your administration that are worthy of commendation.
“A lot of people have also been commending your administrative style and achievements.
“So, my visit is also to come and greet you on the occasion of this Christmas celebration and also to show gratitude for what you have been doing for the people of the state.
“Christ left a legacy of good work that people today still talk about.
“I believe that the good works you have embarked upon are also a legacy that will live after your tenure as governor of this state.”
In his response, Aregbesola, charged religious organisations to preach the essence of the birth of Jesus Christ to their followers, irrespective of religious leanings.
Aregbesola said the essence of the birth of Jesus is anchored on love, compassion and sacrifice, which anyone who aspires to be like the messiah must emulate in order to live a Christ-like life.
The governor equally enjoined the people of the state to embrace agriculture by making a covenant to practice it as a New Year resolution in order to guarantee food security.
He added that with the presence of love, compassion and sacrifice by the people, the society and the family, state and the entire country will be the ultimate beneficiary of an orderly and better society.
Aregbesola said: “Christ came to demonstrate undiluted love of god for humanity.
“Christ came to demonstrate compassion.
“Christ came to demonstrate sacrifice.
“So when we mark Christmas, what we are marking and celebrating is love, compassion and sacrifice.
“I therefore urge all of us, irrespective of our religious leanings, to embrace the essence of the season.
“It is the season of love, season of compassion and season of sacrifice.
“We should allow these three things to pre-occupy our minds, to dominate our lives and to control our beings.
“If this is so, then our society, starting from our immediate family, local government, state and the entire nation, would be the better for it.”
On the urban renewal programme of his administration, the governor appealed to those whose property were affected not to see the action of government as an attempt to punish them or inflict suffering on them but accept it as a sacrifice to improve the economy and standard of living of the state.