By Tobias Ekirika, Onitsha
Spiritual Director of the Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry, Uke, and Parish Priests of Blessed Iwene Tansi Pilgrimage Center, Umudioka, both in Anambra State, Rev. Fr. Obimma Emmanuel, has called on Nigerians, both leaders and the citizenry, to show love and compassion to their neighbours as a token of gift to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.
The cleric, popularly called Fr. Ebube Muonso, gave the admonition on Monday, December 22, during a get-together organized at Nkwelle Ezunaka, his country home in Oyi local government area of the state by the Fada Ebube Muonso Foundation, to celebrate Christmas for residents, widows and indegent persons.
Fr. Ebube Muonso called on Nigerians and Christians in particular to uphold the love of Jesus Christ, which he said, is the foundation of Christianity.
“The seed of Christianity is love. Christ came into the world for a purpose: to die that we may live. Nigerian leaders must lead after God’s own heart and purpose.
“They must understand that God entrusts poor Nigerians unto their hands. Therefore, they must do everything possible to show love, and put smiles on the faces of the citizens. That is the summary of Christmas.
“Let us put smiles on the faces of our brothers and sisters. There is no authentic Christianity without the love of Christ. And what is this love of Christ? That we may love our neighbours as ourselves.
“As Christians, let us maintain peace in our communities, so that together, we can fight our common enemy, which is the devil. Let us emulate Christ who is our Christmas; knowing that in Christ, we triumph, but without Christ, we’re in crisis.”
On the essence of the annual get-together and celebration of Christmas with thousands of indegent persons in his community, the priest said that he started it 14 years ago, when he was still in the seminary, as a mark of his love and care for humanity.
According to him, “Fr. Ebube Muonso is philanthropic in nature. Even before I was ordained priest – as a seminarian, I used my pocket money to do Christmas for the less prievileged.
“After my ordination, I magnified it. But after the demise of my mother, I raised it higher to be a monumental foundation for the alleviation of poverty and burden from the poor masses.”
The cleric further noted that through the foundation, thousands are under free education in secondary schools, universities and seminaries; while hundreds of widows and indegent persons also benefit in diverse ways.
Also speaking, Hon. Sir. Ubaka Onwuanyi, Manager, Fada Ebube Muonso Foundation, said that the event was hosted by “the powerful prophet of God, prophet with unquestionable grace, servant with unshakable conviction, defender of the oppressed, a living saint of our time, a philanthropist, the human developer and channel of Divine Mercy, Fr. Ebube Muonso,” adding that it was a special gathering set aside for thanksgiving, celebration, unity, and sharing, to rejoice in God’s goodness this Christmas season.
In an interview, the traditional ruler of Nkelle Ezunaka, HRH Igwe Obiora Amachuna “Igwe Orazulunye” commended Fr Obimma for his love for the less privileged, mostly in his own community.
The monarch enjoined those who benefited to also remember to extend such love to others. He prayed to God to continue to bless and sustain the cleric.
The highlights of the event were the disbursement of over 5,000 bags of rice to the windows, elderly persons, entertainments, cultural exhibition like Igele masquerade,Enyi mmonwu, Gorilla etc.
