Cross section of the personalities that attended the event, with Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, the Deputy Governor of Imo State in the middle with traditional attire. Photo by Everest Ezihe, Owerri
…. Reiterates the need of giving
From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
As the world is engrossed with the euphoria of 2024 Christmas festivities, His Lordship, Most Reverend, Bishop Geoffrey Okoroafor, the Anglican Bishop of Egbu in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State has outlined the essence of Christmas to include sharing, looking inwards,empathy, love, forgiveness and humility, while reiterating the need of giving to the less privileged persons in society, especially the poor.
Okoroafor disclosed this on Tuesday during a homily as part of the special programmes heralding the well attended 2024, Imo Broadcasting Corporation, IBC Orient FM & TV, Festival of 9 Lessons and Carol at their premises along Akanchawa Road New, Owerri.
According to the reverred Anglican Bishop, “the message of Christmas is one of the most widely and charismatic celebrations in the world, and has been repeatedly said for over 2000 years ago, Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ was an embodiment of humility with love for God, just like her father, Joseph.
“The birth of Jesus Christ and celebration of His birth, is biblical, both in the old and new testaments, Jesus represents light and peace in the world and among humanity”.
He also passionately advised christians and mankind on the need to jettison antisocial vices noting the joy of Christmas as goodness, brotherly love, charity and philanthropy amongst humanity.
Okoroafor reiterated that the bedrock of Christmas is looking inwards and showering love to humanity even as he recalled that Jesus Christ as the Saviour of the world was born in a manger, which he noted as a demonstration of humility.
While commending Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State for the backlog payment of pension and gratituity of retired Imo workers, he also fervently prayed for the humility and peace the birth of Jesus Christ brought to the world to dwell among His believers and the world at large.
The evening programme was spiced up with the serene but angelic voices of ST. Maria Goratti Parish Choir, Ikenegbu Owerri.
Their rendition of Christmas carol raised goose pimples, tears of joy and spirit filled among the audience, and they received commendations even as the 9 lessons bordered mostly on the prophesies of the birth of Jesus Christ, His eventual birth, His mission to humanity, love, salvation and total life of humility.
Addressing the people, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, the Deputy Governor of Imo State expressed gratitude to God as well as the staff and management of IBC for organizing such special programme despite their challenges.
Ekomaru who applauded Governor Uzodimma for his administration’s commitments in the development and upliftment of the State, solicited for the people’s support and prayers to the State government.
The Deputy Governor who also rated the choir high for rendering melodious Christmas songs and the organizers of the program, noted its significance as spiritual upliftment and motivation, even as she recalled that for years, her family has been sponsoring Christmas cantata in their homes every 18th December, just to also marked the birth day of her husband, Barr. Chukwuma Ekomaru, SAN.
Adding his voice, the Imo State Commissioner of Information, Strategy and Public Orientation, Hon. Declan Emelumba, thumbed up the program as he showered praises to the management and staff of IBC for their doggedness and commitments in moving the station forward despite several challenges.
Emelumba however assured them that the governor is not unmindful of their problems, but soon they will smile, advising that all they need is to be patient.
Lady Ify Onyegbule, General Manager of IBC in her welcome address explained that the event was organized in the spirit of Christmas, “as it was a spur of the moment, for us also to celebrate with critical stakeholders , amazingly, it was inspirationally a great success”.
Onyegbule applauded Imo citizens for their willingness to celebrate and collaborate, especially as it concerns common interest like Christmas and new year festivities.
She also expressed satisfaction with the attendance, while advising the populace on the need of keeping hope alive despite the present socioeconomic challenges noting that, in realties of life, no condition is permanent.
She further advised privileged members of the society to look inwards, towards the poor with the objective of assisting them by putting fresh smiles on their faces.
However, Barr Enyinna Onuegbu, Chief Political Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodimma and Head of the State Political Bureau, also lauded the staff and management of Imo Broadcasting Corporation, IBC for thinking out of the box and in conformity with the State 3R and Shared Prosperity administrative mantras.
” Am totally impressed with Senator Hope Uzodimma’s leadership for creating an enabling environment for the staff and management of IBC to live their dreams and achieve what’s expected of government media practitioners, under the auspices of performances and credibility. I think IBC remains the clearest voice, East of the Niger and also the Choir of Maria Goratti Catholic Parish, Ikenegbu Owerri that did so well that every body is spirit filled and happy. It’s quite humbly to have been invited for such an event and I don’t take such privileged for granted” Onuegbu pointed out.
He further prayed for God’s infinite mercy and grace, especially as it concerns the people’s good health and prosperity, ahead of the new year
The first lesson of the Carol of the nine lessons was taking from Genesis 3:8-15,17&19 by Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, while Venerable Innocent Osuoha, a retired staff of IBC took the second lesson on behalf of Mrs. Chikodi Emenalom, the Head of Service from Genesis 22:15-18, just as Barr. Ralph Nwosu, the Commissioner for Works read the third lesson from Isaiah 9: 6-7.
However Lessons 4-7 were read from the biblical books of Micah 5:2-4, Luke 1: 26-32, Mathew 1:18-25 and Luke 2: 8-12 by Rev. Fr. Ray Nzereogu, the Station Manager of Ozisa FM, Dr. Fidel Onyeneke, the immediate past SA to Governor Uzodimma on Public Orientation, Prof. John Cliff Nwadike, Commissioner for Education and Barr. Enyinnaya Onuegbu, Head Imo State Political Bureau and SA in Charge of Ministry of Lands, Survey and Urban Planning respectively.
While the Lessons 8 & 9 taking from the books of John 1:1-14 and Romans 16 vs 27 were read by Ven. Innocent Osuoha and Mr. Kenechukwu Ndulewe, the General Manager Heartland FM respectively.
Bishop Joefrey Enyinnaya Okoroafor of Anglican Diocese of Egbu, Sir Fidel Onyeneke, Barr. Ralph Nwosu, Commissioner for Works IBC Orient FM & TV, Festival of 9 Lessons and Carol at their premises along Akanchawa Road New, Owerri Hon. Emma Dike(Mirioma Orsu), Hon . Declan Emelumba, Commissioner for Information, Strategy and Public Orientation, Barr. O. Y. B Nwafor, Prof. Johncliff Nwadike, Commissioner for Education
His Lordship 2024 Special Adviser to the Governor, Parks
The Director General of IBC, Lady Ify Onyegbule
Rev. Fr Ray Nzerem of Ozisa FM Nzereogu St Maria Gorieth Catholic Church, Ikenegbu Owerri
Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy St. Maria Goratti Parish Choir
Commended the commitments and the staff for their labour of love.
It’s going to be a night to be remembered in preparation for Christmas. The program commenced in 1920 by BBC, Ify Onyegbule
Emelumba, Commeened the management for their doggedness and commitments.
He assured them that the governor is not unmindful of their challenges but soon they will smile. Advising them on the need to be patient.
Barr. Enyinnaya Onuegbu, SA to Governor Hope Uzodimma on Political Matters and overseeing the state Ministry of Lands, Survey and Urban development
the choir was serene with angelic voices that made the environment to be spirit filled as the 9 lessons bordered mostly on the prophesies of the birth of Jesus Christ, His eventual birth, His mission to humanity, love, salvation and Challenges of life
That raised goose pimples, tears of joy and spiritual fulfilment among the audience
Lady Chinyere Ekomaru,in her speech thanked God for the program while commending IBC for the program. The essence is spiritual upliftment noting that her family is used to celebrate cantata every Christmas festive rated the choir high for rendering melodious Christmas songs
Bishop in his homily that the message of Christmas has been said over 2000 years ago and widely and charismatic celebration that mother of Jesus Christ, Mary was an embodiment of humility just like her father, Joseph.
That birth of Jesus Christ and celebration of His birth is biblical both in the old and new testament, that trusting in Jesus is an architect of light and peace.
He advised christians to jettison antisocial vices because the joy of Christmas is all about goodness, brotherly love, charity and philanthropy.
That the essence of Christmas is to look in words and show love to humanity. He recalled that the Saviour of the world was born in a manger as a demonstration of humility.
Let the humility and peace Christ brought dwell among us and for God to do a new thing among the people, we need life of rancour Free and happiness.
Jettison selfishness and prayed God to bless Governor Hope Uzodimma especially as he is paying pensioners their pension and gratituty
