Magazine
Easter Celebration: A Faltering Tradition?
When Easter started it was remarkable in the sense that it bore the greatest witness and testimony to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the Messiah and Saviour of mankind.
Today marks the end of the Lenten period earmarked to commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the saviour of mankind. Millions of Christian faithful join in celebrating this outstanding event in Christendom which is referred to as Easter.
And because of the deep spiritual undertone attached to the celebration of Easter, Christians take advantage of the period to make amend for their broken lives, using the blood of Jesus Christ as the basis for such spiritual cleansing.
As a period of penitence and purgation of sin for spiritual rebirth, Easter is seen as a season of deep reflections on the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made to redeem mankind.
But observations on the celebration of Easter in recent times, portray that the deep spiritual undertone attached to the celebration is gradually whittling down, giving way to what appears as a mere social interpretation of the event. The seeming slack in deep spiritual reflection among most Christians regarding the celebration of Easter has been attributed to many factors.
To some religious pundits, ignorance is at the root of such deviation from the norm, while others see it as the fallout of the vested dispositions of church operators who seize on the Easter period to promote their religious enterprise.
Again, close observations on the celebration of Easter reveal that most church owners use the period of Easter to introduce various categories of programmes of vested interest in the media with an orgy of competition. The hub of such messages are mostly centred on the promise of financial breakthrough and prosperity rather than deep reflection on the ultimate sacrifice of love which Jesus Christ the foundation of Christianity established.
Rev. Father, George Babep, the resident Priest of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, in reaction to the seeming contradictions in the celebration of Easter, said it was wrong to treat Easter as a social event. The young Catholic Priest said Easter is a mandate by Jesus Christ to all Christians to mark his death and resurrection.
With Biblical allusion, he said Jesus Christ became the revelational fulfillment of the Paschal Lamb of Passover as recorded in the book of Exodus. By his death and resurrection, he said Jesus paid the price for the sin of mankind and Easter represents that divine atonement and as such should be celebrated with sober reflection and the expression of love.
“The lukewarm attitude of most Christians to the celebration of Easter is because they don’t understand what Easter is all about. The Catholic church follows the laid down procedure and actually does the calculation to arrive at the date.
Easter should not be treated as a social event but should be seen as a period of dying and being resurrected with Jesus Christ,” Babep added.
The General Overseer of His Grace Bible Church Rukpokwu, Pastor Raphael Chineme also shared similar views with Rev. Fr Babep on the celebration of Easter. According to Pastor Chineme, Easter is a very important event in Christendom which sustains the hope and convictions of all Christians.
As believers, he said Christians are expected to use the season of Easter to put back the message of love to the society as replicated by Jesus Christ. He said Easter is the only event in Christianity that has authentic historical background as it is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles where Christ admonished his followers to celebrate in his memory. He cautioned Christians to be steadfast and not allow themselves to be carried away by religious misinterpretation and self seeking motives.
For Dr. George Matthew Ela, the seeming decline in the spiritual interpretation of the message of Easter is because people are swayed by inherent indoctrinations among various churches. He said when Easter started it was remarkable in the sense that it bore the greatest witness and testimony to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the Messiah and Saviour of mankind. For this reasons he said Easter calls for sober reflections, messages of salvation and sacrifice. But he regretted that the growing intolerance among Christians today had reduced Easter to a secular and common place event.
This, according to him is because, “the church is becoming worldly, and the world is becoming churchly.
Dr Ela, a graduate of religion from Andrews University, Mitchigan, said Easter is an expressed command from the Lord Jesus Christ to his followers to celebrate the holy communion as a mark of remembrance and constant reminder of his unfettered love for mankind.
He called on christians to use the period of Easter to practise a life of sacrifice and preach peaceful co-existence among fellow christains. He also appealed to ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to always tell the truth to their members and not distract them from serving God according to biblical standards.
Musing over the celebration of Easter, Sir, Sam Ovu Eleonu was philosophical as he reflected on the life of our Lord Jesus Christ, in a rather historic remark; he asked, what does Easter mean in our lives?
In apparent response to the question he raised, he said Jesus Christ the only sinless creature, became sinful for the sake of mankind, and “we have a duty to work in the life of Christ, take a step of faith towards spirituality and exemplify the life of Christ by showing love to the needy.”
According to Sir Eleonu, the essence of Easter is to reflect love and concern for humanity as a mark of honour for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Commenting on the method of Easter day celebrations, Pastor Israel Okachi, the General Overseer of Sure Foundation Bible Church Egbelu Ozodo, Port Harcourt said Christians should celebrate Easter Sunday in their churches to praise Jesus, pray for the church, and thank God for his mighty miracle of Resurrection Power. Just as the disciples were praying when Peter was arrested by King Herod to be killed after Easter but the angel came from Heaven to release Peter from the prison. “Let not Christians abuse the correct way of this celebration of Easter Sunday being Resurrection Morning,” he said.
According to Pastor Okachi, resurrection is the greatest power in the word. Outside of the power of prayer, resurrection surpasses the power of atom, hyelrogen and cobalt. Resurrection is a greater power for it breaks the power of grave.
“We triumphantly say, O death, where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory? I Corint 15:55. We serve a risen saviour. He is the head of the church militants” he said.
The celebration of Easter among the christain folks, according to the Vicar-incharge of New Covenant (Ang) Church Oroaboli Parish, Port Harcourt, Rev. Cannon Chimela Samuel, is still high. As a matter of fact, he said.
Christians still celebrate the death of their leader (Jesus Christ) every year.
The Man-of-God, who went down memory lane, explained that Easter is celebrated by christians all over the world because “it is the basis of their faith”, and Christianity is the only religion that still has its founder alive.”
The General Overseer of Highway Holiness Christian Church, Pastor Kunle Olagoke, who defined Easter in a different way, said its original name is Passover feast. Pastor Olagoke, maintained that Easter and Christ’s Death Memorial are never the same. He pointed out that the early Christians never celebrated Easter but passover.
According to him, the feast of Passover, teaches humility, saying that Jesus Christ demonstrated such when he washed the deciples’ feet. (John 13: 1 – 5). He also advised that Christains should do away with Christainised pagan worship. Such christainised pagen practice, he pointed out include, kissing the cross during Easter, making sign of the cross etc.
Another Pastor, Tenebo Joseph of Temple of Praise (TOP), International Church Port Harcourt, argued that Easter remains the time christains across the globe celebrate the resurrection of their Lord and personal saviour, Jesus Christ. Pastor Joseph, said the celebration of Easter can never be over emphasised because no one on earth has been able to do those things Jesus did when he was on earth.
The cleric, who also is the General Overseer of the church, said that the celebration of Easter can never go down, as far as churches keep sprouting out of every corner. He said Easter, calls for a sober reflection and wants christains to see it as more than a celebration period but a time to draw nearer to God.
Tanel Beemene
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has assured navigational safety for all stakeholders operating legally in the Warri Pilotage District, despite the urgent need for breakwater reconstruction.
This is just as NPA pilots enabled the safe berthing of inbound vessels – MT Zonda and MT Stellar as well as outbound vessel MT Duke, MT Vardar and MT Igbinosa last week with six vessels at anchorage outbound and inbound for Bonny Island, Koko and Escravos.
NPA stated that although the Escravos breakwaters constructed to prevent the siltation of the Warri channels had collapsed decades ago, it has concluded the survey and mapping of the channel.
The authority also noted that it is at the conclusive stages of securing relevant approvals for the best financing option to fund its reconstruction and has put measures in place to ensure safe berthing of legally operating vessels in the spirit of trade facilitation.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko, said the up-to-date local and international training as well as simulation and maneuverability competence building of the highly experienced pilots of the NPA, have ensured zero incidences of vessels running aground.
Bello-Koko said the authority had procured and installed adequate buoys for the Warri channel and realigned the entrance buoys as well as docked and reclassified vessels.
He said the authority has also stipulated frequent simulation training and retraining for all the pilotage crew to enable them to respond to the exigencies of the channel.
According to him, the occasionally reported incidents of vessels running aground cannot impede the channel, as they are vessels operating illegally without NPA’s marine pilot onboard.
He said the vessels ran aground because they veered off the channel and safety-marked areas due to incompetence.
Bello-Koko said to enhance domain awareness capability to detect and frontally keep illegal vessels at bay, the authority recently awarded consultancy for the installation of Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) across all its port locations with the first phase already completed.
Every year some toys emerge as popular among children across all ages. These toys are considered a “must have” by most kids and are often on their Christmas wish list. The year 2018 is no different with some toys making it to the favorite list of most children. Most times, the toys vary in terms of size, color and design giving kids a chance to choose the ones that appeal to them. Nevertheless, it is essential to start your shopping early to get the best deals without having to stretch the available funds.
What to look for when buying toys in 2018
Apart from having your kids’ preferences in mind when purchasing toys in 2018, you should also check if they are suitablefor children.Some of the things you should consider when buying toys are listed below.
- Age of child – Most toys have a label that indicates the age of the child that is allowed to play with them. Ensure that you read the label before buying a toy, so that gets all the benefits meant to be derived from using it. Age-appropriate toys contribute to the development of children, making it vital that they get the right type of plaything.
- Safety – Majority of the favorite toys can be a great addition to your child’s collection in 2018. However, it is essential to check the toys for corners, sharp edges, and harmfulpoints which might not have been mentioned on the warning label. Toys that are easy to dismantle and have loose parts should also be vetted to see whether they are appropriate for the child. Focus on buying toys that cannot lead to injuries and are durable for different kinds of play.
- Affordability-The price of toys vary from one store to another, with some being cheap and others quite expensive. When going shopping, have a budget that will guide the quality and quantity of toys that you can purchase for your children. You can consider buying one expensive toy that is their favorite and adding others that are low cost to achieve a balance.
- Versatility –Toys that can only be used for a short time or appeal to children of a specific age group may not be the best ones to buy for kids. Go for toys that can be used to entertain and educate the child over a long period without them getting bored.
- Durability –Most children, especially toddlers enjoy picking apart toys as a way for them to explore its workings. It is therefore vital to buy toys that made from sturdy material, and all their parts are screwed on tightly so that they are not easily spoilt. Also, ensure that paint used on the toys do not easily peel off and are non-toxic.
Top 6 favorite toys in 2018
The number of toys launched in 2018is many with several appealing to both boys and girls of different ages. Some of the toys that have been ranked as favorites this year include:
- LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Great Hall Building Kit
The game is designed to resemble Hogwarts Great Hall Building in the popular Harry Potter movie. It is 878 pieces which when arranged reveal the Great Hall which is a famous building in the film. Some of the pieces that stand out are the treasure room, spiral staircase, and potions room. Popular figurines are also part of the set with characters such as Nearly Headless, Nick, Harry Potter, Albus Dumbledore, Ron Weasely, Hagris, Draco, Professor NacGonagall and Susan Bones among others.
- Barbie Care Clinic Vehicle
Barbie has been part of the favorite toy list for many years, and in 2018 she is in charge of a mobile clinic. She has a twenty piece set that includes a gift shop, exam room and waiting room which are used to tackle emergencies of varying magnitudes. The ambulance in the collection has lights as well as siren sounds that are turned on using a button which is quite exciting for kids who are three years and older.
- Paw Patrol – Ultimate Rescue Fire Truck
Kids that love the Paw Patrol cartoon will enjoy playing with the truck whose sounds, and flashing lights keep them entertained. The truck has a Marshall who sits in the cab looking out but can also jump into the fire cart when they need to rescue animals. The extendable ladder and working claw are fun to use to save animals stuck in trees.
- Smart Learning Home
Fisher price has always focused on making playtime fun for babies for many years. In 2018, they introduced a toy that helps small children learn about the weather, numbers, and shapes. The interactive toy also has sounds, music, and lights to keep your baby entertained. To find out more about interactive toys for babies, visit https://www.bestreviews.guide/topics/toys-kids-and-baby.
- Sesame Street Lets Dance Elmo
Elmo is loved by many children that have interacted with him and his friends on the Sesame Street show. In 2018, he is dancing and grooving to different types of music, making him an excellent toy for children working on their motor skills. The toy has musical modes namely songs, colors and animals which gives kids a variety to choose from. When the modes are changed, Elmo begins to wiggle, or dance and the color on his heart begins to turn as well.
- Radio Flyer busy buggy
Toddlers that are active and always on the move will enjoy having this ride-on toy. The carriage has several features that make its fun to ride over short distances. Some of the fancy features that make it one of the most interactive toys in 2018 include an adjustable dashboard, horn, moving windshield, and sliding beads among others. Active youngsters get to develop their motor skills as they cruise within the home while adjusting their reflective mirror.
Overall, no matter the choice of toys you buy for your children, ensure that they are educational, fun and safe.
More than 5,000 freight forwarders have so far registered with the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarders in Nigeria (CRFFN) in its on-going membership drive.
The CRFFN Director (Education and Research), Mr Alban Igwe, told our correspondents on Thursday in Lagos that the initiative was part of efforts to re-organise the freight forwarding business in Nigeria.
He said that freight forwarders, who failed to register with the council, would at the end of the exercise be regarded as fake businessmen.
According to him, the council plans to enforce its operational code which allows only registered members to practise.
“The registration, which started last year, is on-going. The enforcement, which should have started already, will start shortly as soon as all logistics are on ground.
“We have a tribunal that will try all illegal freight forwarders and any forwarder found guilty will be sentenced.
“Education of freight forwarders continues because over 70 per cent involved in the business do not have more than school certificate,” he said.
Igwe said that the association had concluded plans to conduct intensive training across the country in line with the provision of the Act that established the council.
He said that education remained the key role of the CRFFN in assisting freight forwarders to acquire professional skills and knowledge.
Igwe said that the council had signed memoranda of understanding with 10 training institutions to facilitate achievement of this objective.
The CRFFN Director also said that the training programme had made it possible for interested freight forwarders to acquire PHD degrees, stressing that the era of quacks had gone.