By Valentine Amanze, Online Editor
Imo State Governor, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, has said that the birth of Jesus Christ heralded a new awakening, while advising Nigerians to exploit the opportunity Christians provides to making the society better.
In his Christmas message to the people of Imo State, Governor Uzodimma noted that Jesus Christ did not only come to illuminate the world but remained the undisputed light of the world – the reason he is worshipped, adored and glorified.
His words: “When Prophet Isaiah prophesied that a light will shine upon those who were hitherto in darkness, he was, of course, referring to the birth of Christ.
“That Christ is the Divine light that shattered the long-drawn satanic darkness that had held down mankind from Adam, has never been in any doubt. Jesus Christ himself proclaimed it in the gospel of John Chapter 8 verse 12: ‘I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’”
The governor further said that Christmas would always be symbolic and significant to the people, particularly today “because it is a great testament to the triumph of light over darkness.”
He pointed out that there were curious, yet pleasant coincidences surrounding the celebration of Christmas this year, particularly in the Imo State Government House.
“The first is that by sheer pleasant coincidence I am a December baby, having been born in the month of December, the month of light. And I am the governor of Imo State.
“The second, and more significant, is that our administration came on board in January, when the light of Christ had started piercing through the darkness of old.
“Spiritually, I see a linkage between the darkness that pervaded Imo State before we came and the light that our arrival heralded.
“When I remember the pitiable state of affairs in our state when we took over early this year and the quantum progress we have chalked up in spite of the daunting challenges, l acknowledge God’s mercy.
“When I remember the circumstances of our emergence when the weak-hearted had given up hope, I acknowledge God’s hands in raising for Himself angels that dispersed the darkness that was enveloping our state.
“It is to the glory of God that when man fell from grace through a woman, He also redeemed man through another woman, the Blessed Virgin Mary. When the mighty thought the power was theirs to forcefully take, God looked at us the least of them all and crowned us to lead His people of Imo State.
“I am always enamoured by the book of Micah, especially when it admonished us not to despise the small beginning. God raised the Saviour from Bethlehem, the least of the towns of Israel. And through the prophecy of Isaiah, a light was shown to those who were hitherto in darkness. Thus Bethlehem, they looked down town of Israel, became the bearer of the powerful light that shattered darkness.
“In terms of infrastructure and governance, Imo was in darkness before we came on board. We initially groped in darkness because there was no handover from the departed administration.
“The Government House as the seat of power, was in shambles and inhabitable. The state secretariat was in darkness both literally and literarily. Adapalm was in comatose. The Otamiri waterworks were not working. The roads were impassable. Corruption was walking on all fronts, while the security infrastructure was in shambles.
“Mercifully, God has switched on the light of progress for us. The roads are now passable. Water is running in parts of Owerri. People now sleep with their eyes closed because of improved security. The secretariat has been rehabilitated and made habitable. We have a functional Government House and Lodge. And above all, people now have confidence in government as an institution.
“What is more, public sector corruption has been sent to a well-deserved grave through automation of government finances.”
Uzodimma admonished Imo people in particular and Christians at large to exploit the opportunity of the season to recommit themselves to making the state better and ensuring that the flame of this divine light that Christ symbolises remains aglow.
While wishing the people a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year in advance, the governor also advised Christians to stay safe during the season because the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic was still around.