Home Church Celebrates RSU VC’s Elevation, As Indigent Youths Get Varsity Scholarships

An opulence of radiant indigenes and residents of Ogoloma Community in Okrika Local Government Area, Rivers State, were in high spirits today during a special thanksgiving service, organised by the Christ Army Church Nigeria, St. Stephen’s Pro-Cathedral, Ogoloma, in celebration of the elevation of their son, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, as Vice-Chancellor of Rivers State University.

In his sermon during the service, Vicar of the Church, Venerable Endurance Duke, attributed the milestone of the Vice-Chancellor to the grace of God, as exemplified by the biblical Joseph, noting that the elevation, which was borne out of a dint of hard work, perseverance, and commitment to purpose, should be held with sanctity in the best interest of the academia, Ogoloma, and the society at large.

The preacher urged congregants to emulate the exemplary traits of Joseph in the bible who rose from obscurity to become the saviour of Egypt and his family, adding that such biblical reality defined the life of Prof Zeb-Obipi, justifying the rationale for the special thanksgiving service to God for crowning his efforts with remarkable success.

Delivering an emotional remark in his birth church, Prof. Zeb-Obipi recalled the sacrifices of his late mother, who did all she could, including petty trading, to ensure his foundation was upright. “My mother, Late Mrs. Chinyere Zebulum Obipi, sold fish just to ensure my siblings and I went to school,” he said. “Today, I thank God the sacrifices paid off.”

Professor Zeb-Obipi, who is the 12th Vice-Chancellor of the Rivers State University, further said his emergence was a reflection of grace, noting that it was the discretion of the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, to choose any of the top three contenders, but grace found him through the benevolence of the Governor.

He concluded by committing to the rehabilitation project of the Church, and announcing full tuition scholarships for youths of humble backgrounds in the church who are able to scale JAMB exam next year and gain university admission, clarifying that the largesse would subsist during the pendency of his term as Vice-Chancellor of the Rivers State University.

Highpoint of the service were prayers for the VC, and the presentation of a plaque of honor by the Church, christened the “Joseph Award,” to the Vice-Chancellor, in celebration of his exemplary lifestyle and noteworthy milestones despite obstacles. The Church service attracted traditional leaders, friends of the celebrant, and some staff of the Rivers State University, among others.

Prof. Zeb-Obipi expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Christ Army Church Nigeria, St. Stephen’s Pro-Cathedral, Ogoloma, for the honor and recognition, saying: “I am humbled by the ‘Joseph Award’ bestowed upon me. I thank the Vicar, Venerable Endurance Duke, and the entire congregation for this recognition. I pray that God will continue to bless this church, empower it to keep touching lives, and help me to keep on rendering services to humanity.”