By Emma lhemeje
Laity council Archdiocese of Onitsha has finally played the final Raffle draw it began two years ago in which the participants were expected to win Toyota Sienna 1st prize, shuttle Bus 2nd prize, keke, Plasma, Television with Ten thousand Naira consolation Prizes to others.
The event which was done at the full glare of the public took place at the Centenary field of the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity Onitsha and attracted some dignitaries from different walks of life, including some members of the Onitsha laity council and the players of the raffle. Children were selected to pick and open the raffle in order to stem any tide of suspicion and fraud.
Speaking to newsmen at the event, the Onitsha Archdiocesean chaplain of the Catholic laity Council of Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Celestine Ejikeme uwa Aniofor expressed happiness that the raffle game which abnitio was replete with problems ranging from it’s printing, sale to distribution is laid to rest, expressing mixed feelings that the objectives of the raffle project which was meant to assist the Onitsha Catholic archdiocese realize fund for the Bishop Shanahan university didn’t record huge success.
The President of the Onitsha Archdiocesean laity council of Nigeria Engr. Leo Onyekachi Obiefuna, and the members of the planning committee for the raffle game similarly expressed happiness for the final draw of the raffle which was done successfully penultimate sunday during the feast of the divine mercy celebration. Commenting on the raffle game, one of the staunch member of laity council in the archdiocese, Bro. Edward Okeke expressed dismay with the efforts of the initial planners of the event which was not encouraging.
Bro. Edward Okeke however was delighted that the raffle game has come and gone in a manner that could not smear the image of the archdiocese. He specifically commended the efforts of the Onitsha Archdiocesean chaplain, Rev. Fr. Celestine Aniofor (ochiwar) towards the success of the whole event.
The result of the draw revealed that Chielo Ikechi with ticket no 1128415 won the 1st prize , CWO Our Lady’s Ogidi with Ticket no 264393 took the 2nd position, John Mary with Ticket no 041342 won the 4th position and Abigeal Ibekwe with Ticket no 1144382 took the 5th position. Others including Chiemerie Muoneke, Nwokolo, David Christopher, Chinonyerem Obinwa, Ife Muoneke, Nwaezuoke Peter, Amaka Amaraegbunam, Chioke Ekene and Charly Uba made home with consolation prizes.
