By Chris Njoku
The University of Calabar, UNICAL on Monday held its first solemn assembly for the year 2024 to herald a new academic session.
Speaking at the service, held at the institution’s International Conference Centre on the theme “Walk With Me Oh Lord”, Prof. Florence Obi, Vice Chancellor of UNICAL said the essence of the service was to hand the institution over to God.
Obi said although it had become a tradition to seek God’s blessings at the beginning of every semester and session, there was a need for staff and students to personalise the theme of the service.
“I thank God for sparing the lives of staff and students, I however charge you to continue to uphold the good name of the university which indicates the intention of the institution to walk with God and align with his ways.
“I also commend the Guest Speaker for accepting the invitation to share God’s precious words with the institution,” she said.
Speaking on the theme of the event, the Guest Speaker, Rev. Fr. Francis Eworo, said that God was ever prepared to walk with any individual or community if they were not distant from him.
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Eworo who focused his message on the book of Isaiah chapter one said for the walk to be enabled, men must repent of their sins, renounce evil, and turn back to God, changing their minds and direction.
He described many assemblies of humans today as those in the days of Prophet Isaiah in Israel which were simply religious but did not know God.
“Many worship assemblies are breeding rebellion and have become detestable to God.
“I call on all staff and students to begin a needful walk with God, listen to and enjoy his company, align with his will and consequently produce much Christian fruit from their lives,” the clergyman said.
The solemn assembly which was well attended by the institution’s principal officers also had staff, students and a team of clergymen who officiated the service.
