Valentine Ozigbo, one of Nigeria’s leading philanthropists, has continued his streak of goodwill activities as he hosted an Easter dinner party with the elderly Reverend Fathers in Awka and Ekwulobia Dioceses of the Catholic Church.
The event was hosted by eponymously named Valentine Chineto Ozigbo, VCO, Foundation on Friday, April 9, 2021, at the Diocesan Priests’ Welfare Home, Awka, the capital of Anambra State.
The colourful event was graced by The Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, the Bishop of Awka Diocese, and The Most Reverend Peter Okpaleke, the Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese, who conducted the mass.
In his address, Mr Ozigbo expressed his excitement for the opportunity to host the event. The respected business leader revealed that he considered it “a great privilege” to be hosting the elderly priests.
“One of the reasons why I decided to do this was because I recognise the need to extend the celebration of Easter to the retired clergymen who have spent their lives edifying us and adding value to the body of Christ,” Ozigbo said.
“Easter is the most important event in the history of Christianity. It is only right that we celebrate the season with these deserving servants whose lives have been devoted to serving in the Lord’s vineyard.
“Asides from this, I am lucky to have my parents still alive and healthy. My father, Andrew, is 92 years old and my mother, Christiana, is 86 years old, and together they’ve been married for 65 years.
“As the last of seven children, I have always received unconditional love and I’ve strived to show them the same kind of love they’ve given me in their old age. So I thought it important to extend that same gesture to our spiritual fathers,” Ozigbo added.
The event witnessed performances by the host choir from St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Awka, and the VCO Foundation Choir, led by Osita Nkemchor.
A minute’s silence was observed in honour of Mr Kamsi Okonkwo, a member of the VCO Youth Movement who lost his life in a fatal accident this week, and other Reverend Fathers who have died in the past few months.
While speaking at the event, the Director of the Priests Welfare Home, Awka, Father Emmanuel Udu thanked Mr Ozigbo for his uncommon vision and commitment to the body of Christ.
Rev Fr Udu appreciated Mr Ozigbo for sponsoring the event and making out time to be physically present and merry with the elderly fathers.
The well-attended event was graced by Mr Augustine Ibeme, a long-time financier of the welfare home; Sir Willie Nwokoye, the Principal Secretary to the Governor of Anambra State; the Very Reverend Father Charles Umeorji, the Vicar for Priests in Ekwulobia Diocese; Very Reverend Father Peter Val Uzozie, the Chairman of the Awka Diocesan Priests.
Ozigbo, a leading governorship aspirant in Anambra, was accompanied by several senior members of his campaign team, including Rt. Hon. Eucharia Azodo, a former Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly and a two-time member of the Federal House of Representatives; Hon Tim Egboka, a former member of the Anambra State House of Assembly; Chief Tony Offiah, a PDP stalwart; Lady Juliet Anaeme; Comrade Innocent Ugwo, the leader of the VCO Youth Movement, and many others.
Valentine Ozigbo is the founder of Valentine Chineto Ozigbo, VCO, Foundation, one of Nigeria’s leading non-profit organizations which focuses on women and youth empowerment. Through its various programmes, it has touched the lives of over 100,000 people in Anambra State.
