Christmas is time for Reflection, Appreciation, Celebration of God’s Love – Nwafulugo

…As Fedpoly Oko holds Interdenominational Carrol of Nine lessons

By Uzo Ugwunze

Christmas season has been described as a time of sober reflection, appreciation to God for the Gift of his son Jesus Christ to the world to bring salvation and reconcile humanity to himself and also another opportunity to extend love to better the lives of others.

It was a fiesta of songs as the choir of the three major chaplaincies in Federal Polytechnic Oko school community thrilled their audience with melodious songs that ministered to the soul in adoration to God.

Speaking during the 2023 Annual Christmas Carol and Nine Lessons at Federal Polytechnic Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area, Anambra State, the Rector, Engr. Dr. Mrs Francisca Unoma Nwafulugo thanked God for the gift of life, grace to achieve a lot of infrastructural projects cum human capital development and for the collaboration between the various christian denominations towards the spiritual well-being of the staff and students in the institution.

“Christmases is a celebration of the love of God, which he demonstrated for humanity. This is therefore, the season to reflect on how we have fared as individuals in our relationship with our neighbors as well as in our relationship with God. Life is a gift and how we engage it in making the lives of others better is very paramount”.

“Just as Jesus came to demonstrate the love of God through salvation from sin and reconciliation to God. We must also pursue love and kindness for one another”, said Mrs Nwafulugo.

The Rector who was about concluding her tenure said that she initiated the annual Christmas carol three years ago in order to promote and encourage interfaith partnership and co-operation; and to foster unity, love and family hood among the polytechnic community urging the incoming administration and the three major chaplains of; The Anglican Chapel of Light, St. Augustine’s Catholic Chaplaincy and the Penticostal Chapel of Transfiguration to continue the Christmas Carol and Nine lessons program in love.

” I therefore, urge you to care for one another. Think of how you can make the lives of others better. Let us learn to make sacrifices for one another. Let us be good towards one another and make our lives count. It is also important that all of you here think of ways by which you can add value to Federal Polytechnic OKo. This is the principle that has guided my administration over the past 4 years and 10 months. Our agenda is enhanced growth and development of Federal Polytechnic Oko”.

“We have vigorously pursued this path and to the glory of God we have made quite substantial progress with the construction of 17 buildings and many other ongoing infrastructural projects and other successes recorded.
My administration has also ensured that all the programmes we run in this Polytechnic are accredited. We have facilitated staff developments and welfare to a large extent. Already the process of 2024 staff promotion is ongoing. We may not have arrived at our destination yet but definitely we have made huge progress. We have had challenges but God has helped us to surmount them. We therefore, have every reason to thank and give Him praise,” said Engr. Dr. Mrs. Nwafulugo.

Earlier in his sermon, Revd Canon Chigozie Obiwulu who spoke from Luke 2:3-8,15 gave the sermon on the topic “Reminiscing the birth of Jesus” saying that the birth of Jesus in a manger showcases the depravity of humanity and the misery of life.

“It was the birth of Jesus that brought glory, peace and good will to men.A person who does not know Jesus is depraved. Christ is the author of peace and anybody that does not have Christ in his/her life does not have peace,” said Rev Obiwulu.

The cleric further condemned the attitude of people who go to Church just to seek for wealth, fame, marriage partner etc instead of seeking Jesus who is the author of life adding that Jesus Christ is the hope for eternity and anyone who desires God’s gift of eternal life should come to Jesus Christ because wise men are those who seek Jesus.

In his vote of thanks, the Ag.Registrar of the Institution Mr.Obini Onuchukwu commended the Chaplains for providing spiritual direction for the students and for molding them in character.

He thanked the Management team of the Polytechnic for working assiduously to take the polytechnic to enviable heights appreciating the Rector for galvanizing human and material resources in transforming the polytechnic. He called for support for the Rector and the Management.

The carol was organized in conjunction with the three chaplaincies in the Polytechnic namely Chapel of the Light, Chaplain is Revd Canon Emmanuel U Ogudoro, St Augustine Chaplaincy, Chaplain is Revd Father Dr.John O. Umeojiakor, and Chapel of Transfiguration, Chaplain is Revd Canon Chigozie Obiwulu.

Present at the carol included The Rector of the Institution, other Principal officers, Dean’s of Schools, Directors, Heads of Departments, Union leaders as well as Staff and Students