By Jude Michael
It was a joyous moment like no other, for the Life Members, Catholic Women’s Organization, CWO, Awka Diocese, including their friends and well-wishers, as they gathered at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka, to celebrate 40 years of existence in the Diocese.
The event, described as a celebration of dedication, service and commitment by many, featured among others, award presentation to individuals, who had distinguished themselves in the service to God and the Church within the Diocese and beyond.
The epoch-making event, which took place on Saturday, 10th May, 2025, began with a Holy Mass presided over by the Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Dr Paulinus Chukwuemeka Ezeokafor, who described the event as a thing of beautiful and joy.
While speaking in a homily, Bishop Ezeokafor noted that the Life Members were carefully selected women of virtue among the CWO.
The Bishop noted that the women possessed exceptional qualities and had lifestyles worthy of emulation.
He gratefully recalled the foundation members of the association, and expressed gratitude to God for the service of the association, urging the members to remain steadfast and hold forth their faith in God.
In his remarks, the Chaplain, CWO, Awka Diocese, Rev Fr Jonas Unegbu, thanked God for His grace upon the Life Members, the Bishop, for his fatherly support and his approval for the celebration, and the guests, for identifying, as well as rejoicing with the Life Members.
While speaking with Fides during a reception, the Chaplain enjoined the Life Members to continue to do their best to promote the well-being of the entire women and the progress of the Gospel of Christ in the Diocese so that at the end, they would make heaven.
In an address of welcome, the President of the Association, Lady Oby Vero Onyenwe, also expressed gratitude to Bishop Ezeokafor, whom, she said, had been caring for and assisting the Association, both spiritually and morally as a loving father.
The President also thanked the Governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, for his free antenatal care and delivery services, free education policy, 1 Youth 2 Skills Acquisition, Agunechemba Security Outfit, among others.
Lady Onyenwe went down memory lane to recall the efforts of the founding mothers of the Association and the enduring legacies they left behind.
‘They carved out Life Members from the CWO as a pious group to help us serve God on a higher pedestal,’ Onyenwe said, adding that the Association began 40 years ago under the watch of the late Archbishop Albert Obiefuna.
She appreciated the members for their dedication, doggedness, resilience and unity of purpose, which, she said, made the anniversary celebration a reality and success.
Onyenwe outlined the achievements of the Association so far to include successfully completing sponsorship of two priests; financial support to Peter University; induction and elevation of some women into Life Members, USA Chapter, in June 2022, by Bishop Ezeokafor, among others.
According to her, the Association was in dire need of a bus, a befitting furnished office, funds to empower indigent women and youths, among others.
She appealed to the affluent in society to financially support the Association to enable it to realize its noble vision.
In her own address, the Director, CWO, Awka Diocese, Lady Sabina Ndigwe, who was among those that described the occasion as 40 years of dedication, service and commitment, noted that the mission of the CWO in creating the Life Members was to select women who would be beacons of faith.
Lady Ndigwe urged the Life Members to live up to expectations by always standing firm with the Church in any matter, especially in this era of neo-paganism.
Present during the event, which also featured the unveiling of a Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, cutting of anniversary cake, among others, were numerous religious men and women, who included the Chancellor of Awka Diocese, Rev Fr Charles Ndubuisi; Bishop Ezeokafor’s Secretary, Rev Fr Evaristus Ifeanacho; St Patrick’s Cathedral Administrator, Rev Fr Paulinus Okonkwo; the Sister Adviser of the Life Members, Rev Sr Obichukwu Anara; the member representing Awka North and South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Prof Oby Orogbu, represented by Barr Oge Ekweozor; the Anambra State Women’s Leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Hon Esther Onyekesi; among others.
(1 page color; Maria has the pictures already)
