By Micheal Nnebife and Jessica Akabueze
History has been made at Aguluzigbo in Anaocha Local Government Area, Anambra State, as Queen of All Hearts’ Catholic Church, Aguluzigbo, celebrated 110 senior citizens in its fold after attaining the golden ages of 80 to 103.
The Parish Priest of the Church, Rev Fr Ephraim Igwilo, said the essence of the historic celebration was to thank God for not only the gift of longevity given to the elders, but also their unwavering commitment to the Catholic faith.
The celebration, which took place on Sunday, August 31, at the Church, began with a Holy Mass.
Speaking in a homily during the Mass, the Parish Vicar, Rev Fr Victor Ejie, whose message was embellished with praises to God for His goodness and mercy, described longevity as only attainable by the special grace of God.
The Vicar, who recalled the advocacy of befitting living against befitting burial by the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, emphasized the need to honour the elderly in their lifetime rather than in death.
‘It’s better and a thing of joy you celebrate your parents while they’re alive, not when they’re dead,’ Fr Ejie said, while advising the Queen of All Hearts’ Parishioners from home and abroad that gathered in the church, in their numbers, for the august occasion.
In his remarks during the second part of the event, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Paulinus Obiedelu, expressed belief that the celebration had renewed the faith of the celebrants, especially those of them that had been incapacitated by old age to attend Mass.
The celebrants, Francis Obi, Georgina Obidile, among others, thanked the Parish Priest and the entire Queen of All Hearts Parishioners for honouring them and prayed God to reward them with longevity.
Special prayers for the celebrated elders, thanksgiving by their various families during the Mass, and luncheon, presentation of gifts and certificates to the elders, thereafter, were major highlights of the event, graced by the creme de la creme of Aguluzigbo, including their Traditional Ruler, Igwe Rufus Iloduba, who told Fides that the attainment of the golden ages of 80 and above by a huge number of the elderly at Queen of All Hearts Parish, was a great blessing to the Parish in particular and his Aguluzigbo kingdom at large.
The Aguluzigbo Monarch praised and thanked God, advising his subjects, particularly the youth, to shun all form of immorality and crimes, to live long as the celebrated elders.
Dance performance by the celebrated elders, special renditions by St Theresa’s Choir of the parish, as well as entertainment by CWO Band and altar boys of the parish, added glamour to the event, which was heralded by a football match organized on Thursday, August 28, by the parish, for the priests of Awka and Ekwulobia Dioceses and the Aguluzigbo Youth, in which the priests won with two goals.
The celebrants were
1.Timothy Okafor, 88;  2. Joseph Mmuoneke, 80; 3. Cletus Anagbo, 86; 4. Roseline Igbeli, 82; 5. Joseph Ibeneme, 85; 6. Patricia Anagbo, 80; 7. Simon Ubah, 88; 8. Innocent Okoli, 83; 9. Betha Okoye, 80; 10. The late Celina Okoye, 103; 11. Bernadette Maduabuchi, 83; 12. Josephine Ukatu, 80; 13. Priscilla Ezike, 83; 14. Edward Obiejesi, 88; 15. Sussana Ogudiegwu, 85; 16. Thomas Nkanyimmuo, 86; 17. Timothy Onyeanusi, 100; 18. Rhodar Obiezu, 85; 19. Benedict Anachusi, 80; 20. Godwin Obodoekwe, 82; 21. Evelyn Oforkaja, 80; 22. Catherine Adilieje, 87; 23. Linus Azubike, 87; 24. Maria Obineme, 94; 25. Emmanuel Nwaejiaka, 80; 26. Veronica Etu, 93; 27. Helen Obinwa, 91; 28. Michael Ejikeme, 80; 29. Celina Nzo, 86; 30. JohnMary Nzo, 83; 31. Esther Ifeakor, 81; 32. Bernard Anadi, 85; 33. Josephine Emee, 90; 34. Martha Emee, 87; 35. Josephat Ejesieme, 95; 36. Josephine Orimilikwe, 102; 37. Mary Anadi, 80; 38. Matthew Nnadozie, 81; 39. Miriam Uduagwu, 81; 40. Andrew Okanu, 88; 41. Innocent Anazodo, 87; 42. Damian Okoye, 82; 43. Margret Oragwam, 90; 44. Hadrian Okoye, 85; 45. Josephine Obiedelu, 82; 46. Gladys Obiasulu, 87; 47. Alphonsus Adimora, 88; 48. Celestine Obiejezie, 81; 49. Alice Offor, 81; 50. Bethrand Ilo, 85; 51. Roseline Ekesili, 92; 52. Georgina Obidile, 82; 53. Festus Ibeneme, 87; 54. Justina Egwuonwu, 86; 55. Paul Nnoruga, 80; 56. Sylvester Okonkwo, 83; 57. Mathew Anumba, 96; 58. Patrick Dimobi, 84; 59. Matthias Offor, 83; 60. Theresa Ofodum, 101; 61. Catherine Anike, 86; 62. Walter Onyemena, 82; 63. Bertha Obiedelu, 85; 64. Hadrian Nnolim, 80; 65. Marcel Ejidike, 84; 66. MaryLinda Onyekwelu, 85; 67. Peter Okafor, 80; 68. Grace Egbuchie, 81; 69. Josephine Mmuoneme, 82; 70. Caroline Akonobi, 88; 71. Marcelina Asiegbu, 80; 72. Philomena Okekeocha, 87; 73. Samuel Anaetoh, 83; 74. Ezinna Obalu, 95; 75. Magdalene Ibeneme, 85; 76. Roseline Okafor, 82; 77. Priscilla Mmuonueme, 92; 78. Louisa Onwuliengo, 80; 79. Benedeth Ekebude, 84; 80. Victoria Onwuneme, 98; 81. Joseph Ezeani Ibeneme, 80; 82. Patrick Anachusi, 88; 83. Rebecca Onyekaba, 85; 84. Virginia Umeokeke, 86; 85. Francis Obi, 82; 86. Martina Obiasulu, 81; 87. Francis Anwatu, …; 88. Georgina Ezenibe, 87; 89. Matthew Nwaejiaka, 85; 90. Sylvester Okafor, 96; 91. Roseline Oliaku, 86; 92. Edwin Iyinagolu, 82; 93. Rita Okoye-Uba, …; 94. Celina Udeafo, …; 95. Victoria Mmuonyili, …; 96. Roseline Okafor, …; 97. Innocent Okafor, …; 98. Rita Asuzu, …; 99. Cecilia Obineme, …; 100. Benedette Ume, …; 101. Gabriel Asuzu, …; 102. Grace Offia, …; 103. Catherine Asindu, …; 104. Louisa Obiedelu, …; 105. Cecilia Onyeanusi, …; 106. Mathias Ogbuka, …; 107. Onyeka Anthony, …; 108. Romanus Ubah, …; 109. Joseph Nwankwo, …; 110. Cyprain Ezike, 103
