The Vice Chancellor of Edwin Clark University ( ECU ), Kiagbodo, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, Prof. Timothy O. Olagbemiro has called on Nigerians to show love to one another at Christmas more than ever before.
In his opening address at the Fourth Edition of the Nine Lessons and Carols of the University, the VC encouraged Nigerians to use the period of the Christmas to reach out to the needy especially in the society at the Yuletide, pointing out that the season was all about giving as Jesus is the reason for the season.
He said; “Today we are having the Fourth Edition of our Christmas Carol together where the students are going to show their talents and we have also invited other churches to add colours to the ceremony. Christmas is in the air already. This is the celebration of Christmas. Christmas is a time of happiness, time of joy and we are all celebrating together. As we celebrate, let us remember the needy in the society, let us reach out to one another at Christmas because Christmas will be meaningless if we do not show love to one another”.
The VC added that; “Here in the University, we put God first in all that we do and we are bringing up students of the Institution with the fear of God. This land was quite empty, nobody was here, and no soul was here except animals and insects. Now we are here to inhabit the land, we should celebrate Christ in this land and we want to add value to people around here. This University has come to stay.I believe this time is a time of giving, Christ was given to us by the Almighty God, Jesus Christ is a gift to humanity to redeem us from all our sins, and we should also be gift to others and be example to others by giving to them. When the Lord talked to the Shepherd, we wondered who the Shepherds are”.
According to him,” Let us put smiles on the faces of the needy. Let us be there for one another at Christmas and always. Let there be peace and harmony in our nation. Without God, we are nothing. Nigeria cannot be anywhere without God. The birth of Christ was given to us because of our sins and we should be able to accept Him as our Lord and Saviour. We all have seen that truly this Birth of Christ is real and we should celebrate it with joy and happiness in order to see people laugh”.
The VC also said, “We are bringing up our students gradually in the way of the Lord. We let them know that nobody gets anywhere without God and also let them know that others are building their talents. Many of them have talents too, they should be able to come out to join other youths in showcasing their talents with something that is good, something that is real, something that touches lives.”
“You could see the young ones dancing and happy. That is what we want to do by putting laughter on the faces of people. It is very important and that is our key goal and we have achieved it tonight. We are bringing up our students in the right way of God. It is a tertiary institution but we have the birth of Christ as our base”, the VC stated.
In his exhortation, Pastor Kolawole Oniwide of Life Faith Church, Ughelli harped on the need for Nigerians to draw closer to God for their personal salvation.
He also used the opportunity to implore the rich to show greater love to the poor at Christmas and always.
According to him; ” Christmas is here again, let us prepare a place in our hearts to receive the Child Jesus; we should draw closer to God and as we celebrate Christmas, let the rich in the society share with the poor and also remember them after Christmas”.
According to our Correspondent, the opening prayer was said by Rev. A. Awatefe of St. Paul Anglican Church, the Registrar of ECU, Mrs. R. A. Egborge read the First Carol, the Second Carol was taken by Rev. (Dr.) Okoroji Jnr., Nana Perfect, ECU, SRB President took the Third Carol and the Fourth Carol was taken by the Vice Chancellor of Michael Cecilia Ibru University ( MCIU ), Prof I. A. Afowape.
Others were Rev. Fr. Mario Ozele of St Joseph Catholic Church, Fifth Carol, Dr T. N. Kolo, Registrar, MCIU read the Sixth Carol, Abigail Okoroh took the Seventh Carol just as Prof S. C.O. Ugbolue, Salvation Beatrice and Victor Mmakama took the Eighth, Nineth and Tenth Carol respectively.
In his Christmas greetings, the Founder and Chancellor of Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo, Chief (Dr. ) E. K. Clark, who was represented by his daughter, Mrs. Rebecca Okorodudu wished Nigerians a Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year.
Our Correspondent reports that several churches took part in the Fourth Edition of the Christmas Carols of the Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.
