As part of the activities marking this year’s Christmas celebration, the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Federal College of Agriculture(FCA) and Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology(FCAH), Moor Plantation, Ibadan held its 2020 Joint Christmas Carol, which featured melodious rendition of different songs and admonitions. The event which took place on Wednesday 16th of December, 2020 held at Prof. E.A Adebowale Training Hall.
The theme: “Carol of the Angels” was culled from the Gospel According to Luke, LK 2: 13-14. The guiding scriptural quotation took its hold on the events of the day, as the hall was set in compliance with Covid-19 protocols and discernible spiritual aura that reinforced the spirit of Christmas.
The Executive Director, IAR&T, Prof. Mrs. Obatolu Veronica in her Christmas message, charged Christian faithful to imitate Jesus Chris and to abide by its teachings.
She said that a Christian is a Christ imitator, adding that a true believer follows the principles and teachings of Jesus Chris.
The IAR&T boss said the attribute of Jesus Chris is as follows; Truthfulness, submissiveness and forgiveness, saying that “the trait of our lord Jesus Christ is not reflected in us.” Therefore, she urged Christians to follow the footsteps of Jesus Christ.
In her message to the world, Prof. Obatolu asked Christians to depend on joy and peace that Jesus Christ brings.
Pastor Ayo Awe, in his sermon, said carols connect Christians to Jesus Christ throughits melody and teachings that come abound. “As the word carol, a joyful song and nuggets that bring us together and connect us in groups of shared experience and feelings,” he said.
Pastor Awe emphasized the need of all to put trust in God amidst such a sobering reflection on the reason for the Christmas.
Speaking further, he said man has been created to worship Almighty God irrespective of age, gender and status. “No matter who we are, no matter what we do, we will all stand before God bowing and be worshiping God. It is better we get used to it, because as we are approaching Heaven, title will no longer matter, whether you are a child or not, whether we are ready to worship or not, whether you are ready to praise or not, let us be able to learn it now,” Pastor Ayo said.
He admonished the congregation to “rejoice and celebrate in the birth of Jesus Christ, who is the light brought to the world to enlighten the heart of men and show the way to salvation”. He urged the congregation to celebrate the birth of Christ with understanding that the main celebration lies in the preparation for the second coming.
The Preacher also enjoined the congregation to always appreciate God for the gift of Christ and not to worship the Angels rather than Christ.
In an Interview with CEOAFRICA, Prof. Mrs. Lucia Omobolanle Ogunsumi said that Jesus Christ has come to save the world, Christians must show love anywhere they live in the world.
“The Christmas story is associated with the physical manifestation of the love of God to human race because God gave us his Son to redeem us from the original sin.”
Furthermore, she said the birth of Jesus Christ should be a lesson to everyone, adding that as people seek help from him, they would be saved and be forgiven of their sins. “We should appreciate the love of God, we should not die with our sins,” she said, maintaining that Jesus Christ has paid the price from saving mankind from sins.
“It is a necessity that we accept Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, so that we don’t carry the burden of sins but have eternal life.”
On his part, Adegbade Ayeyemi Lawrence, a lecturer at the Federal College of Agriculture Ibadan said Christmas is a season of joy and hope, nothing that the world is dying and the only solution to the world’s problem is Jesus Christ. “This is a period of Joy, reconciliation and giving to the less privilege,” he added.
There were special numbers which graced the occasion and the highlights of the segment came from Wither Pilgrims led by Sunday Ajagbe, Holy Night was taken by Dr Mrs Ojezele. Also, other members of the congregation who had been assigned roles for the carol took turns in rendering Carol service songs and giving readings to distil the right atmosphere of Christmas.
The Excutive Director and the Provosts of the collaborating inistitutions delivered their Christmas messages to the distinguished assembly. A benediction was led by Remi Olalekan even as the closing of the event was marked by the Hallelujah Chorus, a characteristic ending for such a service. This final musical parting shot was led by Bro Aboluwade. With such stimulating lines of events, there could be no better, delightful ending to such Covid-19 regulated Carol service that would remain fresh long after the day would have passed into history.
Present at the Carol were the Executive Director of IAR&T, Prof. Mrs. Veronica Obatolu; the Deputy Registrar, Mr. Adeboye Omole;Provosts of FCA , Dr. Mrs. Kemi Augustus and FCAH , Dr. Owosibo were ably represented by Pastor Owonifari and Dr. Isaac Ayodeji, respectively, among others.
The organizing Committee led by Pastor Sunday Ajagbe, Prof. Mrs. Lucia Omobolanle Ogunsumi others include Dr. Lara Ojazele, Mrs. Tope Ajayi, Pastor Ayo Awe, Mr. Andrew Aboluwade and Pastor Awogbade
