Oh yes! You read that right. Christ Church Chapel, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (hereafter refered to as UNN) has in a ground breaking feat, welcomed the 2024/2025 first year students, popularly referred to as freshers, in a way that has placed them highly in the school, the world at large, and of course, has endeared them dearly to the hearts of the freshers. My darling friends and lovers of this platform, dear ambassadors of the kingdom, please read on to get the full "gist" (for my Non-Nigerian friends on this platform, "gist" - as used in this context - is a Nigerian slang used in place of "story" in an informal setting) I know you are already salivating and therefore, ready to dig into the "meal".
As we all know or as experience must have shown us, transitioning from one level or stage in life to another is not always easy. It more often than not, comes with mixed feelings, mostly to the individuals involved and also their parents, siblings and those around them. For us young ones, this must have happened to us when we were transiting from one level of education to another eg. Moving from nursery to primary school, or from primary to secondary school, or even from secondary school to the university (for those already in the University). It could also have happened when we were transiting from one Sunday School class to a higher one, during graduation from Sunday School to Teenager's class or during the graduation from Teenagers class to youth church and so on.
Often times, the anxiety felt, is as a result of stories the persons involved might have heard, or in cases where they have to leave their homes or familiar environment, it stems from fear of being in an entirely new environment.
This same feeling was what the 2024/2025 freshers of UNN nursed as they left their respective homes for school from different parts of the country. Majority of these students had never been to UNN until the day they arrived as fresh students of the institution. In fact, many of them had never been to Nsukka -yours truly inclusive- till the fateful day they resumed there as freshers. As a result, many of them were still hovering, they did not know where they were. In fact, in alignment with an African proverb which says that when a chicken arrives in a new environment, it does not relax, it stands on one leg first until is has thoroughly scrutinized the area and deemed it safe for its habitation, the freshers were still "standing on one leg."
As is the tradition for Christians, when you move to a new place, one of the foremost things to do is to find a nearby church to worship. It was this quest that led these set of freshers to Christ Church Chapel, UNN, a multidenominational chapel made up of Anglican, Methodist and Presbyterian denominations.
That fateful Sunday, after the church service, all freshers present were assembled for the Freshers orientation ceremony. The occasion was graced by the supervising Chaplain of the chapel, lecturers and Non-academic staff of the University, some of which happened to be alumni of UNN.
The seasoned lecturers talked about effective time management and it's importance, the need to be security conscious, to be very careful of the company they keep. They were also encouraged to diligently study their books and attend lectures and very importantly, hold on to God. Being more experienced, they also highlighted some challenges that the students may likely encounter being invited at odd times and places to submit assignments or projects, probably because the submission deadline had passed and hence, advised them do avoid whatever will put them in such a situation either by their actions or inactions.
They were also admonished by the chairperson of an ongoing campaign "Make UNN the Neatest Place" to assist by thrashing dirt appropriately, reminding them that dirt has a home, so they should as worthy ambassadors of God's kingdom, find it and use it.
The organisers certainly didn't end the ceremony without an "item 7." The freshers were treated to a sumptuous meal of Jellof Rice for which they were highly elated and very grateful.
In addition to the above, they also extended a helping hand to the students who had challenges either with accommodation, or their student profile, clearance and various other challenges by volunteering to meet the relevant school authority to present the cases, make enquiries and see what can be done about it in the nearest possible time as some of these challenges were preventing students from properly settling in. This act of theirs contributed largely to endearing the chapel to the hearts of the students and their parents as well, as it flickered a ray of hope in them, considering that it was a huge burden that was lifted off their shoulders.
This benevolent act of the chapel taught the freshers a very huge lesson; that as Christians, rendering help or assistance to people whenever possible is an obligation. It is the duty of a Christian to lend a helping hand to raise people up as long as it in in your power to do so.
To you my dear friend, priceless ambassador of the kingdom of the Almighty God, what lesson does this teach you? How will you apply this example from Christ Church Chapel, UNN in your relationship with others around you? When in the midst of the helpless or those in need and you have a clue on how to help them, can you go out of your way to lend a helping hand?
Please, always remember that as kingdom ambassadors, we are the light, and this light is reflected in the world by the manifestation of God's goodness through us. As you proceed with your activities henceforth, learn to help whenever possible, you never know when that little act of your will be a life saver.
If you have experienced any similar event or heard such a story, or if you have any story or recent happenings around you that you want to share with us, please do well to do so. As you know, on this platform, we are always willing and eager to learn from you via the experiences you share it with us.
Before ending this, let me leave you with this Bible verse which says: Isaiah 43:19 (NIV):
"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."
It’s a beautiful reminder that God is always working, even in uncertain places—creating new paths and bringing life to dry seasons.
Are you currently in a new place or having a new experience, does this verse apply to your situation in any way? Ponder over it, share your insights with us, let us know how you can apply the knowledge of this verse in your daily life and circumstances, and how it can be an encouragement to you and others around you.
I remain your Anchor/Host, Nnabugwu Chinazaekpere, saying keep being ambassadors of Jesus' kingdom, keep being kingdom minded and success driven teens and kids.
Shalom
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