• To achieve ultimate, God first, hard work, humility
• Why we hold thanksgiving service annually – The Sun MD
By Oluseye Ojo and Vivian Onyebukwa
Fiery Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Chibuzo Emmanuel Obimma popularly known as Ebube Muonso, has declared that for one to achieve the ultimate goal, one must adopt the God first mentality, be passionate about what one does and embrace humility.
He made the admonition in the sermon he delivered at the annual thanksgiving service organised by The Sun Publishing Limited for the management and staff to thank God for His grace in the past year and the beginning of another year.
The priest charged the congregation never to be passive in the spiritual and physical realms.
Ebube Muonso, who is the founder and head of the popular Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry in Anambra State, preached from 1 Chronicles 14:8, on the topic: ‘Aspire to the Ultimate.’ He admonished the staff of The Sun Publishing Limited, who turned out in their numbers, not to settle for less. He charged them to dream big and give meaning to their lives.
While pointing out the rudiments that connect one to success, he charged them to “Aspire for the ultimate, grace is built on effort. To expand, you must be able to absorb the heat of life. Heat brings expansion. And every level attracts a new devil.”
In encouraging the staff to be bold and face the reality and challenges of life while putting God first, he declared that mediocrities could never be celebrated, adding that “your attitude to life is your altitude.”
To illustrate the God-first mentality, he gave an instance with Donald Trump, president-elect of the United States, who he said embraced God during his campaign period, and even after he won the election, while his opponent in the election, Kamala Harris, never put God first.
“Your heart for God determines your height in life. Put God first in everything you are doing, and take your Lord seriously,” he admonished.
Fr. Obimma equally attributed sacrifice of thanksgiving as the easiest way to beat competitors.
He highlighted the need for the workers to thank God for His mercies, given the fact that the company passed through the previous year with all the challenges, and still standing.
The Charismatic priest implored them to give interpretation to their future, not minding tribulations.
“Tribulations are part and parcel of life. Look beyond your turmoil. Be determined to survive,” he told The Sun staff.
According to the priest, success does not only depend on fasting and prayer, rather there are other rudiments that connect one to success, which must be followed tactfully, or else one becomes fixated.
He declared: “If you pray from morning to night, Manna will not fall from heaven. Be alert spiritually and physically. Never limit yourself. Maximize your potential. Reposition yourself. Be futuristic and action oriented. Be hopeful. Your destiny is in the hands of God, not men. Avoid careless life.”
Fr. Ebube Muonso added that one should not limit oneself to the will of God, saying “God will be waiting for you to take action. There must be a conjugate of effort and God. That is the process that connects you to greatness.”
He stressed the importance of hard work, which also helps one to progress in life. He stated that although there are life challenges in every aspect, they also helps to move one to a higher level.
The Catholic priest prophesied that God would enlarge The Sun Newspapers, and open doors for the families of the staff members. He also prayed for anointing for total restoration, favour, and against all forms of stagnation for the members of staff
He applauded the management of The Sun Newspapers for the initiative of beginning the year with God.
One of the highpoints of the event was when Rev Father Obimma prayed for the company and members of staff, with the atmosphere spiritually charged and shouts of “Amen” rending the air.
When Father Ebube Mounso was leaving, after the thanksgiving service, he was besieged by a large number of staff and invitees, who wanted blessings and prophetic pronouncements.
Earlier in his address, the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, had said: “I am the happiest man on earth today because we have in our midst, Rev. Fr. Chibuzo Emmanuel Obimma popularly known as Ebube Muonso. It is an honour and privilege to have him minister to us and bless us.
“I must say that his coming today was divine because immediately the priest received our request and invitation to come and minister and bless us today, he said: ‘I will be there.’ For some of us who know the Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry, we know that Father Ebube Muonso is used to having a large congregation, in thousands.
“But he accepted to come and be with us to bless us today. I am very happy.”
Ukeh, who noted that thanksgiving is not just for people to sit down and listen, said “It is a time for us to thank God for His mercies. When we sleep and wake up, even if it is only that one, we need to thank God for it.
“For the company to run throughout the year despite all the challenges and we are still standing, it is something to thank God for. That is why we hold this thanksgiving every year, to thank God for His blessings and mercies.
“We also hold thanksgiving service to re-emphasise our mission and our vision as a company and staff. It is to rekindle team spirit and to understand that we must work together, with the purpose to succeed and achieve more.”
The Managing Director stated that irrespective of the location of the staff, whether in Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Port Harcourt, “we should have the spirit of oneness. We are together to foster team spirit. It is part of the thanksgiving.”
Ukeh, who read the profile of the guest minister, said Rev. Fr. Chibuzo Emmanuel Obimma, earned his nickname – Ebube Muonso, while in the seminary due to his rare gifts, including marvellous ecclesiastical and prophetic words.
He added that the Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry “is one of the largest Christian ministries in the country attended by thousands of people from all walks of life and from all over the country.”
Former Managing Director of the company, Dr Tony Onyima, in his remarks, thanked the Managing Director, Ukeh, for inviting him for the thanksgiving service.
He delved into the history of the annual thanksgiving and award ceremony. He said: “The Sun Publishing Limited was incorporated on 19th March 2001. By January 18th 2003, the first set of newspapers rolled out. The management then decided that every January 18th or around that date, we must thank God for what He has done for us as a company. Since then till date, 22 years after, we have been doing that as a company and as a family.”
He commended the successive management for sustaining the programme.
The annual thanksgiving kicked off at 10:50am with the opening hymn – ‘Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine’, led by the choir of The Sun Christian Fellowship. This was followed by the opening prayer said by Pastor Dayo Olayinka of The Sun Advert Department.
The thanksgiving service was coordinated by the company’s Senior Internal Audit Manager, Mr Johnson Ogwumike.
First Bible reading was taken by the Editor, Daily Sun, Mr Iheanacho Nwosu, from I Cor. 4:7-18. The Bible Reading was followed by choir ministration which featured a quality time of praise and worship to God.
The second Bible reading was taken by Dr Onyima, from Psalms 116:1-19.
The vote of thanks was given by Dr Obinna Kalu, the Company Secretary and General Counsel while the closing prayer was said by the Editor, Sunday Sun, Mr Chidi Nnadi.
Immediately after the annual thanksgiving service, the award ceremony was held. The Human Resources Manager, Jessica Oje-Humphrey, announced the winners and the awardees stepped out with high ovation to receive the awards from the Managing Director, Ukeh, with a complementary handshake. Each awardee received a price.
The duo of Oluseye Ojo and Magnus Eze were jointly honoured for recording a great feat outside, that brought glory to The Sun Publishing Limited, under Outstanding Achievement Award. The two awardees, in December 2024, won the Nigeria Media Merit Award (NMMA) in the Environment and Education categories respectively.
The Efficiency Excellence Award was won by Agba Eme Azu of the accounts department for his outstanding operational mastery that made production seamless in 2024.
The Best Staff of the Year award under Employee Excellence Award Category was presented to Allison Muhyideen of the Production/Printing Department, while Chinwe Obioha of the Business Department, won the Revenue Champion Award for her efforts that brought in the largest revenue to the company.
The Creative Genius Award went to Adebowale Johnson for his exceptional creativity in design that brought about positive results.
Under the Game Changer Award category, Fred Ituah Odianosen, was honoured for solution suggestion action that brought breakthrough to the company. Ituah, who occupied the position of Assistant Politics Editor, was recently appointed Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor.
Five members of staff of the company were also honoured under the 10 Years Long Service Award (2014 to 2024). They are Fatunmise Damilola Omolayo, Ezekiel David, Akanbi Zaccheaus, Oyeyemi Odunola Tajudeen, and Nwankwo Gladys.
Management members at the event include the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Mr Onuoha Ukeh; Editor, Daily Sun, Iheanacho Nwosu; Editor, Sunday Sun, Chidi Nnadi; Editor, Saturday Sun, Tope Adeboboye; General Manager, Operations, Damola Olajumoke; General Counsel/Company Secretary, Dr Obinna Kalu; Human Resources Manager, Jessica Oje-Humphrey; Chairman, Editorial Board, Dr Robert Obioha; Business Manager, Evelyn Onyibe; Senior Accountant, Dennis Ogierhiakhi, and Senior Manager, Internal Audit, Johnson Ogwumike.