Christmas is time for reflection –Zack Orji
Popular actor, Zack Orji, says Christmas is best spent reflecting on the past and the future. Speaking on his plans for this year, he said, “I will spend this Christmas with my family quietly in my house. Being towards the end of the year, it is a time of reflection; time to look back on the things you did last year and things you need to get right the following year.”
On what Christmas meant to him as a kid, Orji said, “Growing up, Christmas was a big deal; I always looked forward to it. When I was much younger, I used to look forward to Christmas as a season of partying and hanging out with friends. But as one grows older, one finds out that it is not only a time of celebration but also a time to extend kindness to people around one.”
I don’t have time for Christmas –Shina Peters
Unlike many people who look forward to Christmas with so much anticipation, veteran musician, Sir Shina Peters, says he doesn’t have time for the Yuletide. The Afro juju creator stated, “For me, celebrating Christmas this year will be hard. I have been busy performing at one show or the other. Normally, serious-minded musicians don’t have time to celebrate Christmas. I don’t even have time to celebrate with my family members.
“Right now, I have not slept for days. In the past few days, I have been to Port Harcourt, Uyo, and other places. As we speak, I am preparing for a show. Even when I was younger, I didn’t celebrate Christmas, and it is quite unfortunate for me. I started doing music at a young age and I always have performances on Christmas Day. However, I wish everyone who believes in God a prosperous Christmas and New Year’s celebration. We will meet in 2019.”
I’m thankful to God for seeing Christmas –Eucharia Anunobi
Actress, Eucharia Anunobi, is yet to get over the death of her only child (last year) and it will cast a shadow over the Christmas season for her. She said, “Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ; that is a known fact. However, my only child, Raymond, died; you should know that also. There is nothing exciting about Christmas for me but I am thankful to God that I am alive to see the celebration. That is all I have to say about Christmas.”
My wish for Christmas is stable electricity –Derenle Edun
Prolific TV personality, Denrele Edun, has only one wish for Christmas. “My wish for Christmas is that there should be electricity because if there is, there will be water and the house will also be stocked with food. My sisters and mum are already in my house. I don’t want extended family members; just them. If I am not working on that day, I will be with them but if not, I would be attending parties. I have a lot of gigs in Lagos before Christmas and on Christmas Eve. But on Christmas day, I will spend quality time with my family. Personally though, I celebrate Christmas every day. I will make sure I give all my family members their gifts by Christmas Eve before they start calling,” he said.
Recalling his most memorable Christmas, Edun said, “My most memorable Christmas was when I was in Barbados. I was supposed to come back home on Christmas Eve but my flight was delayed. While I was waiting, I decided to visit people in their homes on the Island, eating and having fun. I made a lot of friends and I ended up not going to my hotel until the next day. It was an eventful day for me. I went to different parties and concerts. Then, on Christmas Day, I had my breakfast on a submarine. On Boxing Day, we went skinny dipping on the beach. It was so much fun and I didn’t pay for anything.”
Christmas is also my birthday –Chioma Ajunwa
For star athlete and police officer, Chioma Ajunwa, Christmas is doubly special because it also coincides with her birthday. Speaking on what Christmas means to her, she said, “Firstly, I have to thank God because I am among the living. So many people started this year but they are no more. Whether one gets to eat rice or not, one has to thank God. Every year’s Christmas is very memorable because it is also my birthday. When my mother was alive, I always looked forward to travelling down to the eastern part of the country to celebrate Christmas but now, I feel reluctant to do that.”
Recalling how she usually spent Christmas as a child, Ajunwa said, “I think I enjoyed Christmas Day (more) when I was very young. Back then, children and youths usually engaged in dancing competitions and visited different houses. But these days, there is nothing like that because nobody is interested in entertaining anybody for free. I think the vibes that come with Christmas is gradually going down. In those days when it was Christmas season, there was a kind of cheer in the air that affected everyone but these days, people get scared during this period because of the people with evil intentions. There are no longer that many street or church decorations but I am happy that we can still see some Christmas decorations in few churches, especially the Catholic ones.”
I spend Christmas reflecting –Victor Ikpeba
Former international footballer, Victor Ikpeba, says he usually spends Christmas reflecting. He stated, “I wouldn’t be celebrating Christmas because there is nothing special about the day. However, I will go to church to thank God for life and celebrate Jesus Christ. My most memorable Christmas celebrations were the ones I spent with my family around me. I don’t think there is any difference between Christmas then and now because I am not enthusiastic about it. When I was younger, I spent so much money on Christmas because my children were very young but they are big girls now. Christmas period is the time I reflect on my life and things that matter. I have a huge Christmas tree packed somewhere in my house but I don’t know why I haven’t brought it out.”
Christmas reminds me of why I was saved –Tope Alabi
Top gospel singer, Tope Alabi, says she is always enthusiastic about Christmas. She said, “Every Christmas is memorable to me because it reminds me of the reason I was saved. If not for the birth of Jesus Christ, I wouldn’t be saved; neither would I have become a child of God. For this reason, I am always enthusiastic about Christmas.”