Unity and compassion were the keywords that echoed mainly yesterday at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, the venue of this year’s Nine Lessons and Carols Service to usher in this year’s Yuletide.
The event with the theme “Immanuel, Our Restorer of Hope,” was graced by Nigeria’s top leaders, clerics, and hundreds of Christians.
Among them were former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon; First Lady Oluremi Tinubu; Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Deputy House of Representatives Speaker Benjamin Kalu. 
Others were former First Lady Patience Jonathan and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike.
Vice-President of the Christian Association of Nigeria Baba Payan, delivered a sermon that struck a chord with the attendees. He urged Nigerians to rise above divisions and embody love in their daily activities.
Quoting Hebrews 13:1-2, Payan encouraged Christians to know that brotherly love remains the foundation of a strong and united society.
Your neighbour is anyone who requires your help. You should therefore extend kindness to them, especially during this festive season,’’ he admonished.
