. . . Uzodimma urges spiritual reflection at Christmas

There was wild jubilation in Imo State Secretariat Friday, December 24, as workers received their 13th month salary as promised by Governor Hope Uzodimma.

As alert of the payment started hitting their phones from Wednesday and continued till Friday, hundreds of the excited workers congratulated one another with hugs even with many of them describing Uzodimma as a miracle worker.

Uzodimma had Tuesday, December 21 during a meeting with workers in the state promised to pay them 100 per cent of their basic salary as 13th pay, the first of such intervention in the history of Imo State.

Although Friday was supposed to be a half day work for the civil servants, out of excitement, many of them stayed beyond that to continue to discuss the positive development.

For example, Mrs Olivia Ejirimka who works with Owerri Municipal Area Council, said it was the first time she was witnessing the payment of 13th month since she started work many years ago.

“My brother, when the Governor made that promise, my attitude was like let’s wait and see. Now that he has fulfilled it, help me thank him,” she said.

Similarly, Mr Ezekel Chukwuka of the Ministry of Finance described the 13th month salary payment as “the greatest miracle of 2021.”

According to Chukwuka, “What the workers were praying for was to get our December salaries, not knowing that our action Governor had another surprise for us.”

While commending Uzodimma for the gesture, Mr. Chukwuka pleaded that it should be a regular feature every year.

Also, Mrs Oby Amadi-Obi, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy expressed appreciation to Governor Uzodimma for being a caring father to workers in the state.

She had recalled that on assumption of office the Governor embarked on renovation of the Imo State Secretariat and without wasting time, proceeded to provide the junior workers with free transportation.

Mrs. Amadi-Obi described the payment of the 13th month salary “an icing on the cake of good package for the staff by the Governor.”

On Thursday when the leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) paid a thank you visit to Governor Uzodimma in his office, they expressed gratitude to him for redeeming his promise to pay 13th month salary to the workers.

Chairman of NLC in the State, Comrade Philips Nwansi, had told the Governor during the visit that the 13th month payment was the first in the history of Imo State.

Meanwhile, Governor Uzodimma has urged Christians to use the period of Christmas to do some spiritual reflection on the reason for the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ rather than the notion that it is a time for merry making only.

He also said those who reduce the Christmas period to just a mere time of merriment based on the mundane things of the world may not know how much they have relegated the essence which includes sharing of love to our neighbours.

Governor Uzodimma spoke on Thursday at the 2021 Christmas Carol held at the Government House Chapel Owerri.

In a statement by Governor Uzodimma’s Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser, Oguwike Nwachuku on the occasion of Christmas, the Governor urged Imo people and residents to use the season to spread love to their neighbours.

The Governor also noted that “there no better time to praise God than now that we are expecting the birth of our Redeemer, our Lord, Jesus Christ.”

The Governor said: “At this time of celebration, many of us tend to miss the reason for the Christmas season. Although this is primarily a happy season heralding the birth of Jesus Christ, some of us devote more of our energy more on mundane matters associated with the season, such as drinking in excess and making merry without end. Those who concentrate on these miss the point because they push the spiritual import to the backbench which is more important.

“Oftentimes, some people engage in more untoward activities, including crimes like fraud, kidnapping and killing innocent people all in the name of celebrating Christmas. The proceeds from these endeavours are temporary and would pass away. We need to refocus our attention on the spiritual benefit of Christmas that if Jesus Christ was not born, our salvation and eternal life would not have materialized.

“Therefore, as we celebrate Christmas this year, I want us to undertake some sober reflection on the full meaning of God’s gift of Christ to humanity. So we should always remember the fact that Christ loved us so much that he gave his own life so that we can be saved.

“Let us use this season of Christmas to spread love to our neighbours. We should resonate the love and sacrifice of Christ by remembering the less privileged in our midst and touch their lives positively. Let us also use the auspicious occasion of this season to atone for our sins and resolve to be better Christians from now. For the good people of Imo State, I urge you to use this opportunity of the coming of our Saviour to rededicate yourselves to the love of Imo people and our state.

“Let this also be the opportunity for those who have been contriving all manner of evil against the people of Imo State, to repent and turn a new leaf for the sake of Christ who is an embodiment of love. Let us love one another as Christ loved us. Let us resolve to save lives and not to take it so that we can key into the universal salvation for which Christ was born. Please, let us love one another as Christ loved us.”

Uzodimma also spoke about his willingness to, not only share love among the people and residents of the state, but to commit himself to protecting their lives nd property in line with the oath of office he took.

His words: “On the part of the government, we are very mindful of expectations at this season of love and sacrifice. Consequently, in spite of the very harsh economic times, we have bent over backwards to put smiles on the faces of Imo workers by paying them 13th month salary in addition to providing them with bags of rice for the season. This is the first time this has happened in Imo State. We also extended a hand of love to Bus Imo operators by giving them free supply of fuel for their operations. Our hope is that the cumulative impact of these measures will translate to a rosier, merrier and more memorable Christmas for a majority of our people, to the glory of Christ.

“We also have to learn a lesson from the Virgin Mary who humbly submitted herself to be used by God to realize his purpose for us. How many of us can willingly yield ourselves to be instruments for the good of the majority? This is the season for us to think more of what we can do to make Imo State better for all of us. It is the time to resolve to make sacrifices for the love of our fellow Imo people.

“As we reflect on that, let me use this opportunity to announce to all Imo people that your state is now safe for you and your loved ones to celebrate this Christmas and New Year. The security agencies have been working round the clock to ensure that you are neither harassed, intimidated nor attacked during the festivities. Government has taken the war to the criminals. Few days ago, security agents stormed one of their hideouts and flushed them out. Such operations will continue.

“As you celebrate, please be conscious of the presence of COVID-19 pandemic, especially the new Omicron variant which spreads faster than the previous variants. If you have not been vaccinated, avail yourself of the opportunity to do so free of charge. Also continue to observe all COVID-19 protocols of social distancing, wearing of masks and frequent washing of hands. Please, observe them to stay alive and celebrate many more Christmas.”

He wished everyone a merry Christmas and New year in advance.

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