By Johnkennedy Uzoma, Owerri.
Officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service NIS, Imo State Command 2009 intakes, celebrated God’s divine blessings and grace upon them throughout their 17 years in the Service.
Preaching a sermon marking the Thanksgiving Service at the Imo House of Assembly Anglican Chaplaincy in the Anglican Diocese of Egbu, the Pastor in charge of the church, Ordinand Chiaka Okere reminded them about the humility, commitment displayed by the “3 Wise Men” in their determination and wisdom to visit Jesus Christ at birth.
Drawing a Bible inference from the book of Matthew Chapter 2 vs 11-19, Okere reminded them that the 3 wise men took out their time looking for Jesus Christ at birth which goes to show that they know that Jesus Christ is a great man.
Dwelling on the 9points teachings of the message, Ordinand Chiaka declared that geniue seekers of God will alway find Him provided they are determined and sincere.
He advised the congregation to emulate the 3 Wise Men by been wise and seek God always irrespective of their dealings in the society.
The preacher described the comming together of the 2009 Intake of NIS to have Thanksgiving to God as the major thing in celebration of God’s blessings.
He warned that people should not to give God left over but rather give their youthful time and lives to God when they are fit and strong in life.
He said: ”Don’t give God left over when you have over spent your youthful age. Rather give God your best service and time”.
Pastor Okere admonished them to be ready to meet Jesus Christ and have proper encounter with God so that their lives will never be the same.
He said: “if you meet Christ, your life will change and there must be change. The real encounter with God changes life, seek God wholeheartedly and give God the best”.
Dr. Lady Chidimma Ogbonnaya CIS red the first lesson while ACI Andrew I. Igbeita red the second lesson.
Also in his address at the Second Edition/17th Anniversary of 2009 Intakes of NIS Imo State Command held at City Chef event centre opposite Rock View Hotel Owerri after the Thanksgiving Service, the President DSI Chiaka Nirvana Okere welcomed his colleagues to the celebration which he described as unique.
He said: ‘it’s proper that we decided to appreciate the Almighty God in this way and at the same time have a good time out to celebrate ourselves for the grace of God all through these 17 years in Nigeria Immigration Service”.
The Public Relation Officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Imo State Command, recalled that the 17 years of service have been full of different experiences ranging from sweet to rough to beautiful and to ugly.
He said: ‘am sure that all these experiences put together are making us better officers and fully preparing us to take over the leadership and management of the service at large”.
According to him they were 145 officers recruited in Imo State in 2009 but some are no more while some had faced one serious health challenges or the other.
He said that few of them who started the job as very young mothers and fathers adding that today they have grown-up children who are adults and have completed their tertiary education and even getting married.
He said: ‘ today, almost all have happy homes, beautiful wives, wonderful husbands and children”.
While he advised his colleagues to keep the flag flying and be committed to the organisation, he disclosed that they have managed the organisation since 2025 with the success story of developing a road map and functional bank account with the assurance that their constitution will soon be ready.
Okere pointed out that since they started, their set has been widely accepted and described as the best in discipline as he advised those with the tendency of indiscipline to work harder and kill those fruits of indiscipline.
High point of the celebration was the cutting of cake by members.
Present at the event include the executives, DSI Chiaka N Okere – President, DSI Agnes J Osunkwo – Vice President, DSI Chiazo E Amadi – Secretary, ASI1 Henry U Eke – Asst. Sec, DSI Onyinyechi H Ofoegbu – Fin Sec
, ASI1 Charles U Nwokocha – Treasurer, ASI1 Michael N Ekwuo – PRO, DSI Adaobi M Nwagbua – Provost , DSI Uche E Nwokorie – Assist Provost ,DSI Emeka Anuebunwa – Welfare.
The Planning Committee Chairman DSI Johnkennedy Ikwu was also present at the event.
