Cleric charges parents to remember school fees, rent ahead Xmas festivities

Rev. Chika Madu, Founder, Highway to Great Assembly Ministry, Nsukka, has reminded parents on the need to plan for their children’s school fees and house rent in January instead of having expensive Christmas festivities.

Madu gave the advice in an interview with the Newsmen on Wednesday in Nsukka.

According to him, Christmas should be a period to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and not the time for frivolous spending, excessive eating and drinking.

“Where some people get it wrong is believing that the most important thing during Christmas is excessive eating and drinking.

“Christmas is a special period to celebrate our Lord Jesus Christ, by going closer to Him and showing kindness to our neighbours, irrespective of tribe, religion or political affiliations,” he said.

The cleric stated that some parents spend so much money while preparing for Christmas, adding that by January they would be looking for where to borrow, to settle the children’s school fees and house rent.

“That’s why I said parents who are spending every money in their pockets for this season should remember that house rent and children’s school fees will be paid in January,” he said.

Madu, however, advised traders and artisans against the hike in the prices of goods and services to make abnormal profits, in the name of the Yuletide.

He described such acts as wicked and could attract punishment from God.

“Those who make evil profits by increasing the prices of goods and services during the Yuletide will not escape the wrath of God.

“God is not happy whenever you exploit the poor.

“Christmas should be a period when prices of goods and services are reduced to show respect and appreciation to Jesus Christ, whose birth has brought salvation to the world.”