By Ononye VC
All roads literally led to the country home of the senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District,Senator (Sir) Victor Umeh,OFR,(Ohamadike)in Aguluizigbo on Easter Monday,where a thanksgiving mass was held at St Patrick Catholic Church, Aguluizigbo,for the election victory of senator Umeh and for the goodness of the Lord in his life.
The thanksgiving mass was concelebrated by the Cardinal Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese,His Eminence,Peter Cardinal Okpalaeke as the Chief Celebrant,the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha,Most Reverend Valerian Okeke and the Bishop of Awka Diocese,Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor.
When invited to make some remarks before the end of the mass,the elated Senator Victor Umeh commended members of the clergy for the tremendous support they’ve been giving him and for attending the thanksgiving mass in large number.
Umeh while acknowledging members of the clergy which included those from the Anglican and Methodist churches,said humorously that with such number of bishops and priests present,it was impossible for him to go to hell on his eventual death.
With his powerful oratorial skill and powerful memory,Senator Victor Umeh held the congregation spell-bound with the compelling story of his political travails in APGA which he suffered to build,the intrigues and manipulations of his ouster as the Senatorial candidate of the party before he was providentially invited by the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party Sir Peter Obi to contest on the platform of Labour Party.
Umeh said that owing to his surprise and disbelief over the estranged relationship between him and Obi,he hesitated in accepting the offer but prayed over it,made some consultations and decided to “carry his cross” and follow Mr Peter Obi to wherever he was going.
He pointed out that with the happenings around him then,it was clear that God had “decreed” that He would deliver him from the evil machinations of his traducers and return him to the Senate.
He declared,”Upon all God has done for me,none is greater than my reconciliation with Mr Peter Obi”.
He further said,”After thanking God and Peter Obi,I thank my lawyer,Barr Patrick Ikwueto who has never failed me in all my cases in court”.While speaking,Sir Victor was able to identify most of the dignitaries and mentioned them one after another.When he spotted Mr Peter Obi at the back,he insisted Obi should not only come forward to the front seat deserving of him but to seat close to his (Umeh’s wife)in appreciation of Obi’s favours to him.
Senator Umeh was at his best and full of gratitude to God as he danced to the altar of God during the offertory procession with members of his family,friends and well-wishers who besieged the church.
He presented gifts of four huge cows in honour of as he said,” God the father,God the Son,God the Holy Spirit and the Blessed Virgin Mary,arousing a thunderous applause from the congregation.
Umeh also hailed the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha,Most Rev Valerian Okeke for attending the thanksgiving mass and the tremendous role he played in his spiritual and political life when it mattered most.
Earlier in his homily,the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese,Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor commended Senator Victor Umeh,describing him as one who takes his Catholic faith seriously and also as a man full of gratitude.
He urged politicians to always think of how to develop Anambra state and not to play politics with everything adding that the welfare of the citizens is paramount and more important since a nation that cannot feed it’s citizens is doomed.
Roll call of the array of dignitaries in attendance include the Labour Party Presidential Candidate,Mr Peter Obi and wife Margaret,wife of Senator Victor Umeh,Lady Prisca,former Governor Dame Virgy Etiaba,Senator Osita Izunaso,Mr Valentine Ozigbo and Iyom Bianca Ojukwu.
Others are,former Governor of Anambra and minister Dr Chris Ngige,Barrister Patrick Ikwueto (SAN),Dr Nkem Okeke and Professor Sir Chinedu Ikechebelu.
Also on the list are,Barrister Alex Ejesieme (SAN),Barr Igwilo and Professor Stella Okunna,Sir Ejison Ukeji among many others.
Traditional rulers,priests,members of the religious,knights of the church,various professional groups,market women and traders,cultural troupes,youths of Victor Umeh Vanguard attended the colourful event.
- Latest
- Trending
