By Uchenna Gloria

A guest preacher at Emmanuel Methodist church Ngwo, Mrs Amara Ogbu has encouraged Christians to pursue excellence in spirituality and service to humanity.

Mrs Ogbu stated this in a sermon, at award thanksgiving service in recognition of the contributions of some notable Nigerians including the General Manager, Radio Nigeria Coal City 92.9FM Enugu tand Chairman Radio, Television and Theatre Art Union Workers RATTAWU Enugu to the society.

Speaking on Methodist theme for 2024 with reference to Nehemiah 2:18, “Arise and Build”, Mrs Ogbu called on Christians to put off all things that were not required of a true Christian so as to put on the life of Jesus Christ in them.

She said “Arise and Build, when you build yourself first, you will be able to serve God.
Equip yourself to be able to serve God, Put off the things that are not requires of a true Christian and put on the life of Christ.
When you build yourself, you build in diligence, when you build yourself, you build yourself around wisdom, when you build yourself, you build yourself in the word of God, you build your prayer life, you build with wisdom.
When you are able to arrange yourself, live according to the principles of Christ, then you will be able to work for God and serve him optimally”.

In an interview, the Presbyter Methodist Church Nigeria, Ngwo Circuit, the Very Rev. Felix Ifeanyichukwu Ikejimba said the recognition was to encourage those who have contributed to the service of God in one way or the other.

“We sincerely desire to appreciate some of our friends who have been blessings to humanity.
This is also to encourage them to continue to serve God by doing more good things to Humanity.”

The General Manager, Radio Nigeria Coal City 92.9FM Enugu, Lady Joy Obitulata-Ijeomanta who received a Virtuous Woman Award attributed it to the grace of God Almighty in the service to humanity.

Joy who was overwhelmed with happiness acknowledged the special opportunity to render selfless service to the society.

According to her “I feel very good and I thank God for this award but this is one of the areas I pray every day that God will make me a virtuous woman and for some people to recognize me and say I am a virtuous woman, hummmm, am blushing”

Speaking to the press, a retired senior official of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria and husband to the General Manager Coal City 92.9FM Enugu, Chief Kenrick Chidike Ijeomanta prayed God to continue to keep the recipients with sufficient grace to sustain the tempo of rendering good services to humanity.

“I want to thank God that Methodist church Women Fellowship recognized her contributions in the area of her duties. Some other broadcasters received award of recognition also. When you serve, people are somewhere seeing what you are doing especially the good ones.

This is the beginning of other awards that will come. I pray that God will keep protecting her, So personally, I, chief Kenrick Chidike Ijeomanta is pleased and hope that more good things will come”.

The Chairman Radio, Television and Theater Art Workers Union, RATTAWU Enugu state and staff of Radio Nigeria, Comrade Trish Eze who also received Virtuous Woman Award said “I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive this award. It is truly a privilege to be recognized for my service to others and my commitment to my faith.

“I would like to express my gratitude to all those who have supported and encouraged me throughout my journey so far. I look forward to continuing to serve my community and honour God in all that I do”.

Another recipient and governorship candidate of Peoples Redemption Party, PRP in Enugu state, during the 2023 general election, Chief Kris Agu noted that it is a thing of joy for the body of Christ to recognize his contributions to the society.

“I feel good, this recognition indicates that they know those who are really working for God. When you do things of God, people will honour you. I have received many awards but this award and that of the Anglican Church last year remains the highest so I feel good and am proud to be a Christian and an Ngwo man and that will spur me to continue doing what is right and helping my people, promoting peace and good governance in the society”.

He continued “my advice to the people who do not understand the need to render selfless services to humanity is that Jesus Christ did not only preach the gospel, but he was going about doing good to people. So doing good is a good business, I encourage people to continue doing good, serving humanity with utmost sincerity of purpose because God is the rewarder of every good work”

The event which featured musical concerts was attend by family members and friends of the recipients.