Do you know that on December 25 in 1914 German and British troops dropped their weapons and celebrated Christmas together by playing a football match against each other?

By Ayo Akinfe

(1) As I wish you all a Merry Xmas, can we please use today to reflect on how irrelevant our differences can be at times. This is supposed to be a season of goodwill when man is good to his fellow man. Christmas can sometimes bring out the humanity in all of us

(2) During World War One, German and British troops left their trenches and celebrated Christmas together by playing a football match against each other

(3) It was also on December 25 1977 that Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin met with Egyptian president Anwar Sadat to commence peace talks

(4) On December 25 on 1868, US President Andrew Johnson granted an unconditional pardon to all Confederate veterans in a Christmas Day amnesty

(5) When it comes to the fight for freedom, Dec 25 is also historical as it was on this day in 1831 that the Great Jamaican Slave Revolt began. About 20% of Jamaica's slaves mobilised in an ultimately unsuccessful fight for freedom. They fought like lions to liberate themselves

(6) Dec 25 has also had its dark days too as it was on this day in 1951 that a bomb exploded at the home of Harry Moore and Harriette Moore, early leaders of the civil rights movement, killing Harry instantly and fatally wounding Harriette

(7) It was also on December 25 1968 that the Kilvenmani massacre took place. On this sad day, 44 Dalits (untouchables) were burnt to death in Kizhavenmani village, Tamil Nadu. It was a retaliation for a campaign for higher wages by Dalit laborers

(8) In Nigeria we got a little slice of this yesterday with Sambo Dasuki and Omoyele Sowore released

(9) I would like to see President Muhammadu Buhari back this up today in his Christmas Day speech by announcing the unconditional release and dropping of all charges against all political prisoners including Nnamdi Kanu, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, Sowore and Sambo

(10) As you celebrate this day, let us think of it as a day when we can bury our differences and work together for the greater good of humanity. Whenever I rewatch the film Independence Day and listen to the president’s speech, it makes me realise how petty, pedantic and artificial our so-called differences are