Umeh’s Thanksgiving: An Assemblage of Who’s Who in Anambra
By Charles Ifeanyi Obi
All the roads leading to Aguluzigbo witnessed an unusual surge on Easter Monday as political allies, friends, colleagues and captains of industry as well as many other resourceful political stakeholders traveled from far and near to witness the Thanksgiving Ceremony of Senator Victor Umeh OFR for his Victory in the 2023 Senatorial Election in Anambra Central Senatorial District.
The Event which began with a Mass of Thanksgiving presided over by His Eminence, Peter Cardinal Ebere Okpalaeke (Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese) and concelebrated by the Archbishop of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke and the Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor as well as the Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Jonas Benson Okoye (represented), also had over two hundred priests and members of the religious community in attendance. Participating also were a delegation of the Methodist Church of Nigeria led by the Bishop of Awka Diocese, Rt. Rev. Onyekachi Nwakama and his counterparts in the Anglican Communion.
After the Thanksgiving Mass which was held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Aguluzigbo, the mammoth crowd retired to the country home of Senator Victor Umeh for the reception.
It was indeed a gathering of the who’s who in Anambra political space including three former Governors of Anambra State, His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi (former presidential candidate and Leader of Labour Party) and his wife, Lady Margaret Obi, H.E Senator Chris Nwabueze Ngige (former Governor, Senator of Anambra Central and Minister of Labour) and H.E Dame Virgy Etiaba (Mama Anambra).
Highpoint of the Day was the emotion rousing speech by Senator Victor Umeh during which he thanked God for orchestrating his political trajectory from the point of uncertainties to a glorious end and ‘more importantly’ for the reconciliation and re-union of himself and Mr. Peter Obi as brothers and political allies. He thanked specifically, Mr Peter Obi for his brotherly love and support which has played significant roles in his political journey. He also thanked the Church, the Labour Party and the people of Anambra Central for believing in him and actually supporting his Election, assuring them that he will not disappoint.
The Event also witnessed a great solidarity by Members of the National Assembly who were on ground to identify with the Star-Senator of Anambra Central who is also the Vice Chairman of the Southern Senators Forum. Among them were the Senator representing Anambra North, Senator Dr. Tony Nwoye; the Senator representing Imo West, Senator Osita Izunaso and the Senator representing Enugu East, Senator Kelvin Chukwu as well as Members of the House of Representatives: Hon. George Ozodinobi, Hon. Prof Lilian Oby Orogbu, Hon. Uchenna Harris Okonkwo , Hon. Aniekwe Peter Udogalanya (Macpee), Hon. Idu Emeka Obiajulu, and Hon. Dom Okafor (Anaocha, Dunukofia and Njikoka; Awka North and South; Idemili North and South; Anambra East and West; Onitsha North and South and Aguata Federal Constituencies respectively) among numerous others. Labour Party Members of the Anambra State House of Assembly were also fully on the ground namely: Hon Nkechi Ogbuefi, Hon. Nigeria Henry Mbachu, Hon. Kingsley Udemezue among others. The representative of Anaocha II Constituency, Hon Ejike Okechukwu was also present.
Among the numerous personalities that also attended the Event were the former Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Nkem Okeke, the C.E.O of Jezco Group of Companies, Chief Joseph Ezeokafor and wife, the C.E.O of Ejison Group of Companies, Chief Joseph Ukeji, the Wife of Late Ikemba Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu (Ezeigbo Gburugburu), Iyom Amb. Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, the famous Eselu Uga and political heavyweight—Chief Chris Ubah; former representative of Idemili North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Ibezi Ifeanyichukwu; LP Governorship Aspirant, Mr Valentine Chineto Ozigbo and a political master strategist, Chief Barth Nwibe. Others were Traditional Rulers of the various communities in Anambra Central and beyond, the Knights and Ladies of St. John International as well as innumerable number of political Stalwarts from various political parties and legal luminaries of international repute.