By Ononye VC
It was a carnival of sorts on Saturday Saturday 17th August,2024 as a Catholic priest,Journalism icon and Managing Director of Sapientia Radio/TV Onitsha,Rev Fr Dr Osy Aloy Orakwe celebrated 25th anniversary of his priestly ordination which took place at the Christ the King Parish,Onitsha.
The event attracted a wide range of personalities which included priests,Gospel artistes,traditional rulers,the religious,relatives,friends and well wishers who graced the occassion.
In a show of solidarity,fr Orakwe’s priests-classmates of 1999 set were on ground to share the joy of his anniversary thanksgiving.
Delivering an emotional homily,Rev Fr Jude Ezike likened Fr Aloy Orakwe to the Biblical Moses who God had called up to Mount Horeb to prepare the Israelites for encounter with God.
According to him,a jubilee celebration is a reminder of how Moses encountered God which was significant and exemplified in fr Orakwe’s 25years priestly journey.
Fr Ezike spiced his homily with stories of his long standing relationship with fr Orakwe even at overseas where they went for further studies.Orakwe he said,pampered and treated him kindly like a junior brother and assisted him at most difficult moments.
“As you celebrate your anniversary today,always remember your encounter with God as He is the one who selected you, just as He is the one who ordains priests from conception in a mother’s womb”,fr Ezike said.
Rev Fr Ezike drew the attention of the congregation on the large number of priests and other personalities present inside the church,pointing out that it was an encouragement for him(Fr Aloy) to continue to forge ahead with his divine call.
He commended the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha for assisting and finding Fr Aloy useful in establishing and achieving great success with Sapientia Radio/TV, adding that Fr Aloy has an “Archbishop who turns clay into gold” by way of achievements and development of human and material resources in the Archdiocese of Onitsha.
In his response,the celebrant,Rev Fr Dr Osy Orakwe,expressed his gratitude to former late Archbishops Ezeanya,Obiefuna and particularly the incumbent,Most Rev Valerian Okeke for the positive roles and encouragement they gave him in his journey of priesthood.He also thanked the Parish Priest of CKP Onitsha for his assistance and encouragement.
At the reception, everything was splendidly set out with various groups and VIPs provided with beautiful canopy stands,with enough to eat and drink.
Popular Gospel artistes like Gozie Okeke,James Arum, Chidimma E. and many others reeled out melodious songs to entertain the guests.
The Master of Ceremony (MC)of the day,Mr Hugeman Ifeanyi Orakwue was at his best giving direction to the event.
Some of the prominent personalities in attendance include the traditional ruler of Awkuzu Kingdom Professor Charles Anakwenze and members of his cabinet, Monsignor (Professor)Nicholas Akwanya, Hon Dr Okey Umeano,Onitsha Archdiocesan CWO Director,Dame Dr Ngozi Nwanosike and CEO of City Radio Onitsha,Chief Ikechukwu Areh.
Some of the directors of Sapientia Radio/TV were sighted.They include Sir John Odike and Sir Jasper Okpalafuluaku.
A lover of little children,Fr Aloy Osy Orakwe provided for dozens of children of the Block Rosary Crusade who presented an entertaining cultural dance towards the end of the event.
Congratulations to Fr Aloy.
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