CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

24th December, 2011 CHRISTMAS MESSAGE:  DROP THE IDEA OF REMOVAL OF SUBSIDY Christians all over the world will mark the birth of Jesus tomorrow 25th December, 2011. The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) felicitates with the body of Christ in Nigeria in particular and the rest of the world in general. While there is cause for celebration, there is also every reason to engage in sober reflections. There is cause for celebration because Jesus was not born into the world in vain, neither did he live a sinful life. He pursued the goal of his coming with vigour, patience and endurance. His life was replete with noble deeds, simplicity and humility. He eschewed waywardness, greed and violence. He blessed those that cursed him and forgave those who offended him. It is for these reasons that we celebrate him today. In the same vein this is a season for sober reflections, particularly among Nigerians. We must ponder over our manner of following Jesus and how well we emulate him. This is the period when we must look inward for some self-examination. We must ask ourselves if we are fulfilling the wish of God who created us.  Are we living a life devoid of sin? Are we sure that we are not responsible for the calamities befalling our dear nation? How much patience and endurance do we exhibit? Are we prepared to perform noble deeds for our country Nigeria without asking for anything in return? Do we not crave material things of this world at the expense of the Hereafter? Do we love our neighbours genuinely and wish for them what we wish for ourselves? Do we forgive those who offend us? In other words are we like Jesus? MURIC seizes the opportunity of the yuletide to demand that our leaders engage in soul-searching at this period. Nigerian leaders must ask themselves what type of leaders they are. Which of the problems facing the citizens have they been able to solve? Is it electricity, inflation, poverty, security, health or education? Instead of bringing suffering, Jesus brought relief. Our leaders must answer the question: Do you want to be like Jesus? If their answer is positive, they must immediately drop the idea of removal of subsidy and evolve other means of ameliorating people's suffering.  Finally, Nigerians must come together. We must sink ethnic and religious differences. It is high time we laid emphasis on our common goals in order to forge greater unity and take this country to El Dorado. Is-haq Akintola (Ph.D), Associate Professor of Islamic Studies, Lagos State University, P.O. Box 10211, LASU Post Office, HO 102 101, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria. Tel. 234-803-346-4974   I remain oppressed untill the hungry are fed, the naked clothed, the sick healed and the homeless sheltered