By Njide Ezeonyejiaku
As the yuletide draws nearer, groups, Ministries, Departments and Agencies are beginning to paint the town red with Christmas colours and celebrations of carols in the spirit of the season.
The Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board, ASUBEB, Awka is not left out as the Board’s Headquarters in Awka was agog with their celebration of Carol of Nine Lessons held in the Board’s Utility Hall, Awka.
In attendance were the State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR represented by the House Committee Chairman on Education, Hon. Anayo Okpaleke, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Ifeoma Agbaizu, Board Members, Directors and Heads of Departments, the staff and pupils who won various laurels for the State in recent times.
In her opening remarks, the Executive Chairman, ASUBEB, Awka, Dr. Vera Nkiru Nwadinobi stated that the event was organised to create awareness about the birth of the Messiah which is a season of happiness and joy and funfair.
She urged all to emulate Jesus in acting with love in all their dealings because Christ came to spread love as an epitome of love.
“Whatever you do as a Christian, emulate Jesus Christ, do right and act in love, not by selfish interests. Just as Mr. Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR is doing the right thing to benefit Ndi Anambra by turning the State into a construction site”, she opined.
Nine lessons were read and interspersed with melodious Christmas carols. The Board Member representing Private Schools, Hon. Dame Chinyere Mbakwe read the first lesson; Director Accounts, Mrs Oyibo Nrabalu read the second lesson, and the Director, Quality Assurance, Lady Stella Ezepue took the third lesson.
The fourth, fifth and sixth lessons were taken by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Ifeoma Agbaizu, Hon. Theresa Udemezue, and the House Committee Chairman on Education, Hon. Anayo Okpaleke respectively.
Also, the seventh, eighth and nineth lessons were taken by Hon. Chika Chukwudozie, the Director Legal Services, Barr. Eucharia Ohuoha, and the Executive Chairman of ASUBEB, Dr. Vera Nkiru Nwadinobi respectively.
Commenting on the turnout of the event, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Dr. Ifeoma Agbaizu expressed delight with the spirit of oneness and excellent organisation of the event, urging the staff to reciprocate the love in the way they discharge their duties.
Highlights of the event were choir renditions by the guest choir and ASUBEB choir, ballet dance, Directors’ presentation, reward for the pupils that won laurels for the State in the national Debating competition, Basic Schools Sports and Science competition; sendoff of ASUBEB retirees, and presentation of the outstanding Headteacher for the year, Mrs Nnenna Edoziobi of Model Primary School, Akabor Ojoto.
