By Nna Anulumadu
On Saturday, December 28, 2024, His Grace Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, Archbishop of Onitsha, commended Sir Valentine Emeka Mbaegbu (Akpaka Oraukwu) for building and donating a magnificent Grotto of Joseph and Mary to St. Joseph’s Parish, Oraukwu.
While commissioning and blessing the grotto, Archbishop Okeke praised Sir Mbaegbu’s generosity.
Sir Emeka Mbaegbu expressed gratitude to God for inspiring him to build the grotto.
He disclosed that he conceived the idea of erecting the grotto through a message believed to have come from God and delivered to him through a faithful from the community.
He revealed that he was further motivated by the special favours, blessings, gifts and healing he has been receiving from God through the intercession of the blessed virgin Mary, adding that the project is way to appreciate God almighty and as well spread the gospel.
He also poured encomiums on his lovely wife for inspiring and supporting him, an encouragement that pushed him to speed up the project to completion, describing her as a woman faith who is caring, loving and supportive to her family.
Sir Mbaegbu further appreciated the Parish priest Rev Fr. Febian Chinonye Eke for encouraging him to complete the project on time, asking God to bless him. He thanked the project supervisor an Anglican faithful who worked assiduously towards the successful completion of the job.
The Parish priest Fr Eke in his remarks eulogized Sir Emeka Mbaegbu for using his God’s given wealth in spreading the gopel by building a grotto . He commended his staunch faith in God, describing the grotto project as eternal investment, enjoining other Christians to emulate him. Fr Eke urged members of the Catholic community to form the habit of visiting the Chapel and the grotto for their spiritual needs since God is their to answer their prayers.
Also , the traditional ruler of Oraukwu HRH Igwe Barr. Dr Emeka Onuora who spoke to Trinitas Newspaper expressed great delight over the project and commended the donor for building the magnificent grotto. He called on others to emulate the kind gesture of Sir Mbaegbu and assist in developing the church and the society.
Chief Anthony Nduaguba and Chief Patrick Ndubuaku JP in their similar remarks praised the donor, asking God to bless him.
