By our Reporter
Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,Ondo State Governor yesterday held a Christmas carol service for the State.
The wife,Her Excellency, Mrs betty Akeredolu was however absent as this may be connected to the wife’s displeasure on issue of workers welfare.
The State Medical Doctors has been on strike since early March,2021 and uptil now,the Governor hasn’t yielded.
Other categories of workers are currently receiving percentage and it has not been forthcoming.
The Governor while addressing participants failed to talk about offsetting of payment or any Christmas bonus for workers like other state had done.
Akeredolu during his address said his administration will not play politics with the destiny of the state.
The Governor also reiterated his administration’s commitment to secure the lives and properties of the people of the State.
Governor Akeredolu said his administration remains resolute to emplace good governance in spite of the precarious socioeconomic situation occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic which has ravaged the global economy.
The event- Ondo State Service of Carols and Nine Lessons 2021 was held at the International Culture and Events Centre (The Dome), Akure, the state capital.
The Governor, who led his deputy, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and other members of the State Executive Council to the event, expressed gratitude to God Almighty for His mercies and protection over the state.
The First Lady, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu was however announced as being represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Osadahun Adebunmi, read the First Lesson from Gen.1 vs 26-31, while Governor Akeredolu took the Nineth Lesson from the Book of John 1:1-14.
The Governor urged the people of the state to reflect the mood and realities of the moment by limiting expenses to their purses.
“I must not fail to charge us that our celebration of Christmas and New Year must reflect the mood and realities of the moment. Without pronouncing it, we all know that we are in austere times.
“Let us limit our expenses to our purse. We must not go borrowing to celebrate the season. Let us restrain any urge to do more than our capacity. This is an advice which we must heed,” he said.
In his brief sermon entitled, “The Prince of Peace”, the State CAN Chairman, Rev John Oladapo, appreciated Arakunrin Akeredolu for his administration’s commitment to peace and security of the citizenry, praying that God should continue to assist the governor to do more.
Rev Oladapo noted that it is the Prince of Peace that can put an end to all the challenges facing the country and admonished the people to depend on Him to give them victory in all circumstances.