Christmas shouldn’t be a reason to hike transport fares – Cleric

A cleric, Rev. Fr. Benson Irabor, has advised Nigerians to
see Christmas as a time to demonstrate love to others and
not a time to hike transport fares.
Irabor, serving in Iseluku Catholic Diocese, Delta, spoke with
the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the end of the annual
Christmas Carols of Nine Lessons held at Saints Joachim
and Anne Catholic church in Ijegun, Ikotun on Sunday night.
NAN reports that the carol was themed, “For unto us a Child
is born”.
According to the cleric, some people use the period to
extort Nigerians without any just cause, in the name of
festival season.
He said that the reason for the season was overtaken by
worldly pleasures and gains demonstrated by hike in goods
and transport fares, especially the inter-state transportation.
“Nigerians think Christmas should be a time to make excess
money through dubious means like tripling the cost of
goods and services.
” This is completely a wicked action by citizens; whether
fuel is increased or not, it has become a tradition.
“This act is completely against the reason for the season.
God’s mission for Christmas is to spread the spirit of love to
everyone who believes,” he said.
According to the parish priest in Ijegun, Rev. Fr. Andrew
Abhulime, Christians should emulate the virtues of sharing
good tidings with the needy and physically challenged
during the season.
He urged those who can afford it to share food and clothes
with the poor as a demonstration of love and care.
“Christ expects us to demonstrate our love for him by giving
alms, sharing food and clothes instead of buying excess
things for ourselves just to show off.
Also speaking to NAN, the music director, Mr Echie Israel,
an author and organist, told NAN that the season should
bring forth joy and hope, especially for the downtrodden.
Israel, also a lecturer in St. Albert the Great Major Seminary,
Abeokuta, said that carols are used to introduce the
celebration of Christmas joy to Christians.
“Choristers are instruments of this joy to the world as we
organise carols to usher in the Christmas, everyone should
be involved in spreading the message of joy and love and
not just business boom,” he told NAN.
NAN reports that the choirs in attendance included Royal
Opus Choral group, Igando, Regina Caeli choir, Isheri Osun,
Saint Brendan choir, Ifesowapo, Saints Peter and Paul choir,
Oke afa, and a host of renowned soloists.