…Attracts the Creme de la Creme in Anambra
By Michael Nnebife and Abuchi Onwumelu
All roads on Monday, 1st April, 2024, led to St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Aguluizigbo in Anaocha Local Government Area, Anambra State, as the Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly, Dr Sir Victor Umeh, went to the altar to appreciate God for giving him victory in the last national assembly elections.
The thanksgiving Mass, presided over by the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia, Peter Ebele Cardinal Okpaleke, was indeed a gathering of the creme de la creme in Christendom, industry, politics, among others, who include, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the last general elections and former governor of the state, Mr Peter Obi.
Speaking in a sermon during the Mass, the host Bishop, Most Rev Dr Paulinus Ezeokafor of Catholic Diocese of Awka, applauded Senator Umeh for the thanksgiving, even as he recalled the biblical story about nine lepers that received healing from Jesus Christ.
Bishop Ezeokafor stressed the importance of thanksgiving, saying that God cherished and expected gratitude from individuals.
The Bishop, who expressed satisfaction on Senator Umeh’s contributions in the Upper House, urged the senator to ensure he delivered dividends of democracy and quality representation respectively, to the people of Anambra Central Senatorial District.
While reiterating his concern over the state of the nation, particularly Anambra State, Ezeokafor called on political leaders in the state to endeavour to fulfill their electioneering campaign promises, and bring the level of development in the state to be at par with its slogan, ”The Light of the Nation”.
The chief shepherd of the Catholic Diocese of Awka reminded the gathering that the hope and joy of mankind rested on the resurrection of Jesus Christ, without which, he said, humanity would have been in a great distress.
Pointing out that the resurrection brought salvation to mankind, Ezeokafor admonished the gathering to work hard while alive towards having a share in the glorious resurrection, saying that there was no opportunity for repentance in the grave.
Responding, Senator Umeh thanked the bishops and the host of priests from both the orthodox and the pentecostal churches who graced the occasion; the presidential candidate of LP, Mr Obi; the host of his political associates, friends and well-wishers, and the people of Anambra Central Senatorial District, for their cordial relationship and friendship, as well as their unwavering trust and support for him.
The celebrant, who was visibly overwhelmed with joy, appreciated God with songs of praises, describing the four cows he brought as a thanksgiving offering as, ‘The first is for God the Father; the second is for God the Son, the third, for the Holy Spirit, and the fourth, for the Blessed Virgin Mary,’ for their benevolence, mercies and intercession for him.
To the senator, who recounted his experience in his political journey, particularly as it concerned the 2023 National Assembly elections, the thanksgiving was also a moment of testimony about the goodness and mercies of God upon his life.
He said, ‘On the 28th of May 2022, my (then) party, APGA, conducted a primary and I was blocked from becoming a candidate in that election.
‘When the news filtered out, Almighty God reactivated His heart of compassion and mercies upon me,’ Senator Umeh said.
The senator, who noted that God was his anchor and fortress, further said, ‘We prayed every day and asked God to be our battle axe. And I tell you, God did what I cannot finish explaining here otherwise, we will not go today for it is inexhaustive.
‘He recused me from the hands of those who plotted evil against me. Therefore, all their efforts and evil were in vain. This is an act of God.
‘That is why I came to thank Him today to show our gratitude for His mercies and compassion,’ Umeh said.
Some dignitaries present in the thanksgiving ceremony were Senator Dr Tony Nwoye of Anambra Senatorial District; Senator Dr Chris Ngige; Archbishop Valerian Okeke of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, Most Rev Jonas Benson Okoye of the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi (represented); the Rt Rev Onyekachi Nwakanma of Methodist Diocese of Awka; the Ven Chamberlain Ofornakara of Agulu Archdeaconry in the Anglican Communion, former deputy governors of Anambra State, Dame Virgy Etiaba and Dr Nkem Okeke; Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu; Ambassador Dr JohnMary Ibeka of All Igbo Traditional Medicine in Nigeria; Hon Val Ozigbo; Igwe Damian Ezeani of Neni; Igwe Rufus Iloduba of Aguluizigbo; a host of other traditional rulers and clergy from far and near.
Others include, Anambra LP members of the state House of Assembly and the Federal House of Representatives; members of the noble Knights and Ladies of St John International; the members of CMO, CWO, CYON, all of Catholic Diocese of Awka, among others.
