Students of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) have been urged to fast from examination malpractice and sorting

A Catholic clergy and Chaplain, ESUT Chaplaincy, Rev Fr Valentine Ozono gave the admonition on Wednesday during the Ash Wednesday Mass to mark the commencement of the 40 days and nights Easter Lenten season.

Speaking in his homily during the Mass held at the Prof Julius Onah Auditorium, Fr. Ozono noted that fasting during Lenten period does not absolutely mean abstaining from food for a period of time. Rather, it is a moment of soul searching where Christians are enjoined to abstain from things that set them away from God.

Describing examination malpractice as a sin, the priest charged the university community to abstain from such acts, seek God’s face through penance and reconcile with Him in order to inherit his Kingdom thereafter.

“Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of our Lenten season which ends on Easter day. Without Easter, there will be no Christianity. This 40 days of prayer, fasting and almsgiving period, enjoins us to share with our neighbours.

“But in school and the season we are in now, you are expected to share with your fellow students before examinations and not inside the exam halls. Teach the person before the examination, don’t wait to help them during the exam because when you tell somebody an answer in an examination, it is a sin. When you talk to your fellow student in an examination hall without the knowledge of the invigilator, it is a sin. The school has zero tolerance for examination malpractice, so I urge you to fast from it.

“Fasting does not mean abstaining from food, it simply means abstaining from these habits that injure your soul and keep you away from God.

“Many of you are addicted to the internet, you watch pornography and engage in masturbation, your fasting during this period should be to abstain from these impurities that keep your soul away from God. You can fast for all these and let us remember that this is a period of reconciliation.

“Jesus is calling you to come back to him. During this period, we are participating in the suffering of our Lord Jesus. As we fast, we should also indulge in almsgiving so that by so doing, we will draw closer to God and He will bless us always,” he said.