- “he is my twin brother”- Igwe Achebe
By Ononye VC
All roads literally led to the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity,Onitsha on Thursday where the grand finale of Archbishop Valerian Okeke’s 70th birthday celebration took place.It began with a thanksgiving mass where he concelebrated with 35 bishops from across the country which included Cardinal Peter Okpalaeke and 200 Catholic priests.
It was the last lap of the series of events that chronicled his 70th birthday which started on 20th October 2023,(his birthday proper)and was marked inside the Onitsha Federal Custodial Centre.
On Thursday’s grand finale,various groups,church societies,school children and organisations,some members of the political class and other friends and well wishers of the Archbishop came to celebrate and thank God with him.
While making his opening remarks before the thanksgiving mass proceeded,the Archbishop expressed gratitude to God for giving him the gift of life and also the grace to attain the age of 70.
He acknowledged the presence of some of the dignitaries present which included the Governor of Anambra State,Professor Chukwuma Soludo(represented),the Anglican Bishop on the Niger,His Lordship Most Rev Dr Owen Nwokolo, the Archbishop of Anglican Communion Province 2, Most Rev Alex Ibezim and the Methodist Bishop of Onitsha,Most Rev O.C Chiemeka.
Delivering his homily,the Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki diocese,Most Rev Peter Chukwu pointed out that it was God’s love for the celebrant(Archbishop Okeke)that prompted his becoming a priest and rising to the exalted position of an Archbishop in the Lord’s vineyard.
Without God’s love he said,the Archbishop could have been something else but God chose him to be able to transform his environment.
According to Bishop Chukwu,God configured him to act in His persona Christi because of his ontological configuration in Christ and raised him to priesthood.
“As a young priest,he distinguished himself in priesthood.I was one of those who benefitted from his tutlage.He knows how to dispose someone and make you still have a sense of belonging”,bishop Chukwu said.He added that the Archbishop was instrumental to training many fine priests as a good teacher,formator and mentor.
He reeled out some of the numerous achievements of Archbishop Okeke which include,the Radio/TV Sapientia,Holy family Youth Village Awka,elevation of the Holy Trinity Cathedral to a Basilica,creation of Aguleri diocese,return of schools to missions,Shanahan University and many other laudable projects.
He further described the Archbishop as a man of faith and prayers who has continued in the footsteps of his predecessors and also a very important voice at the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of Nigeria(CBCN).
“We are like twin brothers”- Igwe Achebe
In his remarks while invited to speak,the traditional ruler of Onitsha,Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe,said he and the Archbishop were like twin brothers.
He continued,”I am older than him chronologically.If you see my face and see his face,though I am older but we are twins in a very special way.He became Archbishop thesame year I became the Obi of Onitsha.I think that is the work of God and we have always worked together for peace in the South East under the joint body of South East Traditional Rulers and Bishops…working for peace and restoration of core values,social values and ethical values in Igboland”
According to Igwe Achebe,there is a bigger ecumenism beyond the church and that everyone is praying to thesame God as children of God.
Reception of the Archbishop:
During the reception of the Archbishop which was chaired by the Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District,Senator Victor Umeh,he said he adopted all the good things said about the Archbishop by the homilist Most Rev Peter Chukwu but would add the Archbishop’s Prison Apostolate to the list.
Senator Umeh said,”We are setting another target of 80 years and after that we add another for your 90 years birthday”.
In his remarks,the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP)Mr Peter Obi said,”We pray that the revolution you started in this Archdiocese will continue.The only gift anybody can give to the Archbishop now is making positive contribution towards the success of Shanahan University”.
In an address presented by the clergy,Religious and Laity of Onitsha Archdiocese to the Archbishop read by Rev Fr Dr Francis Unegbu,they described the Archbishop as one who has joined the league of great men who set the pace for others to be inspired and begin to contribute their own quota to life.
The group further said,”Right from 20th October,1953 when you were birthed into this terrestrial habitat,you have precociously manifested signs of a dogged and focused young man,glitteringnly obvious enough to qualify you as a prodigy”.
They summarised achievements of the Archbishop as great treasures which he has bequeathed to the Archdiocese in these years of his Episcopacy adding that the Archbishop is indeed a testament of grace and nobility.
The Archbishop’s family from Umuezechua Village,Olioba- Umudioka in Dunukofia Local Government Area,Anambra State, were physically present and also graced the ocassion.
Some of the dignitaries present are,the Presidential candidate of Labour Party,Mr Peter Obi,Senator Victor Umeh,Dr Obiora Okonkwo,Senator Uche Ekwunife,Senator Ifeanyi Uba and Hon Idu Emeka.
Others are,Sir Ejison Ukeji,Sir Engr Anyakwo,Dame Dr Ngozi Nwanosike,Prof Ngozi Chuma Udeh,Dr Mike and Prof Kate Omenugha,Hon.Evarist Uba,ASUBEB boss,Dr Vera Nwadinobi,Chief Mrs V V I Okoye,Sir Azubike Okafor,Sir Barr Azubike Anazor,Sir Engr Ikem Osanakpo among many others.
Vicar General of the Archdiocese and Chairman of the anniversary organising committee,Very Rev Fr Johnbosco Okafor,Vice Chancellor of the Archdiocese,Very Rev Fr Dr Prudentius Aroh,Vice Chancellor of the Archdiocese Very Rev Fr Basil Ekwunife,the Onitsha Archdiocesan Director of Social Communications,Rev Fr Dr George Adimike among other priests were also engaged in various activities to ensure that the event was a success.Present also were heads of the Religious including the Superior General of Sisters of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother Maureen Akabogu.
Finally,the Archbishop thanked everyone who made out time to come and celebrate with him and also all those who ensured that the event was a success.He prayed for their safe journey back home and ended with a song of praise to God.
Highlight on the ocassion was cutting of the 70th birthday cake and presentation of gifts.
