Christmas and new year celebrations are a time for joy love and reflection with significant activities which includes gifts giving by exchanging presents with loved ones, symbolizing love and appreciation .
Family gatherings, sharing meals and making memories with family and friends, church services attending special Christmas Eve or Christmas day services to celebrate Jesus birth
Festive foods
Festive foods includes rice, roasted meats , chicken and other local delicacies
Decorations
Adoring homes with lights trees,and nativity scenes
New year events
Countdown gathering with friends and family to countdown to midnight fire works watching or setting off- fireworks to mark the start of the new year
Resolution
Making promises to oneself for personal growth and improvement
Parties
Attending or hosting new year service parties to ring in the new year
Reflection
Reflecting on the past and looking forward for the new one
The dark side of the festivities was the fear of worshipers of the invasion of bandits or the insurgency groups following recent attackers on schools places of worship before the festive periods especially the invasion by Boko Haram and insurgency groups in various parts of Nigeria
The Nigeria Christian are indeed concerned about church inversion and attacks especially during significant events like Christmas and new year festivities
In response to these the Nigeria Government and security agencies have taken steps to enhance security measures around churches and other places of worship
Despite these efforts Christian in Nigeria continue to face security challenges including kidnapping,bombing and violent attacks
The situation particularly more noticeable in Northern states of Nigeria where Boko Haram and other extremists groups are active
In conclusion to address these concerns it is essential for the Nigeria Government to prioritize the security and safety of christians and other vulnerable groups .
This can be achieved through increased intelligence gathering ,improved security measures and dialogue with local communities to build trust and cooperation and finding solution to the root causes of insurgency in the country.
– Benjamin Ibrahim writes from Lokoja, Kogi state.
+2348069596250
