It was a Sunday. A praise filled worship. The gospel was on the mysterious ways God manifest his glory. The priest also talked about obligation to work. Basing his teaching on St Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians he reiterated Paul’s words “Whoever refuses to work is not allowed to eat.” The motivation laden preaching reinforced and encouraged brethrens who might have lost hope to take their worries to God in prayer. God that did for Job, Abraham and Hannah will manifest his glory
The message then shifted to the butchered labour action by the NLC. The priest condemned the attitude and reason why NLC embarked on strike, stressing that the irrationality of the reason resulted in its ineffective and untimely end.
“My school did not embark on the strike”, he bragged. The priest is the principal of the mission school in the parish. Understandably he is not an employer of labour.
The climax of the service was the thanksgiving procession. The parishioner, who did a special thanksgiving, is thanking God for all his mercies and goodwill in the life of his family. People usually go for thanksgiving, when they survive an accident, or receive a tangible miracle in their lives. But this brother thanked God in a special way for his mercies in his life: period. The occasion was festive; the air filled with celebration. The family of the brother can easily be identified from their native white brocade dresses with black weave designs at the necklines and sleeve areas. The choir’s performance reminded me of the high life music typical of the Igbos. The sonorous voice of the lead vocalist was belting out praises after praises as the congregation turned into a party of praise. The dance steps ranged from Makossa to traditional Igbo dance moves of aku na eche enyi. In that moment I was magical transported to the Igbo land. As the family danced down the aisle to the altar, the family leader threw up a cow rope. The cow for the thanksgiving cannot be brought inside the church so the rope represents the cow. The litany of yams followed, as all the well wishers, friends and family held a yam raised high. No wonder God bless those who praise him no matter the situation. What a wonderful way for families to thank God for a glorious year. Yea! It was indeed a glorious year for me. Is it my achievements this year, they are much much. THIS KIND GOD I NEVER SEE YOUR TYPE; BLESSED BE YOUR HOLY NAME♪♪♪♪♪
At noon, the festivity shifted to the Atsor Recreation centre venue of the end of the year meeting of the Anambra Progressive Association (APA). This day was one day I felt at home. The language of the occasion was strictly Igbo. No Engli-Igbo was allowed.
After the opening prayer by the chairman of the Association, the whole chairmen of various Local Governments that made up the state embarked on the ritual of breaking kola. Like in tradition, all the people who picked Kola nut made a cash donation on behalf of their local government. Individuals perceived to be high achievers among the members made special donation which they use in breaking the kola. An opening speech by the chairman rallied the people of Anambra resident in Wukari to maintain the goodwill established between their host town and continue to grow in their endeavors.
The tempo of the high life musical group at the occasion rose as the next agenda; eating and drinking began. Two delicacies were served; Jell-of rice with two fist size fried meat and Ofe Onugbu (bitter leaf soup) with semolina. I downed my onugbu soup with relish. It has been long since I ate onugbu soup with assorted meats and pieces of fish. For the drink, I went for the Chairman (Heineken). The three bottle of Heineken quenched the alcoholic drought in my system. Other corpers I met chatted spiritedly as the tipsier took us home.
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