1st December, 2023
By Paul Dada
Social critic, Reno Omokri, says he now has a change of heart over his view that Christmas is a pagan holiday and should not be observed.
Omokri, a former aide of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, is well known for expressing controversial political and religious views on the social media.
But on his Facebook page, Omokri wrote: “On this first day of December, it pleases me to announce a change of heart. In previous years, I have said Christmas is not Scriptural and is a pagan holiday that was absorbed by the Romans into Catholicism as they evolved into uniting their empire through syncretising many religions into one. It is a fact.
“However, we learn every day. I now believe that people should be left alone. After all, alone, we shall stand before God and give an account of our life. Therefore, if you wish to celebrate Christmas, please go on soun! No be me go dey tell you how to live your life. As long as you are aware of its origins and you don’t mind, and your conscience does not judge you, ignore any Reno Omokri and others and just do your thing.
“After all, it is not everything in my life that is perfect. We must all learn from the Yoruba people of Nigeria how to manage our diversities, disagreements and uniqueness. In fact, we must come to the point where we respect each other’s decisions.
“May God bless the rest of the year to be the best of your year, and may you enter 2024 prepared to make the best of yourself and your society. In Yeshua’s Name. Merry whatever you wish yourself. And a very special Jumu’ah Mubarak to the Muslim Ummah”.