By Regina Igwebuike
The Amawbia Catholic Community launched its Centenary Anniversary celebrations in style on May 11, with a lively novelty football match that saw the Catholic Women Organization (CWO) edge the Catholic Men Organization (CMO) 3-2.
The match, played as Day 1 of the week-long Centenary Week activities at Central School Aguogba Field, was kicked off by HRM Igwe Uche Sunday Okonkwo, Okpaligwe Amawbia. It ended 1-1 at halftime. CWO took control in the second half to secure a 3-2 full-time victory, setting an energetic tone for the week-long festivities marking 100 years of Catholicism in Amawbia town.
The President General of Amawbia Town, Nze Chukwukadibia Odumodu, Nze Akalanze alongside his Deputy, Hon. Emeka Nworah, Mozart graced the ceremony.
The Centenary celebration, themed: “100 Years of Faith, Unity, and Service”, runs under the Chairmanship of Ozo Uchenna Ezeani, Ife Agulu. The main event holds on Sunday, May 17 beginning with a Pontifical Holy Mass at 10:00 a.m. at St. Matthew’s Catholic Parish, Amawbia.
Dignitaries expected at the celebration include Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, as Special Guest of Honour, alongside Catholic Bishops Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor of Awka Diocese, His Eminence Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpalaeke of Ekwulobia Diocese, and Most Rev. Jonas Benson Okoye of Nnewi Diocese.
Other guests include Awka South LGA Mayor Hon. Prince Chinedu Okafor, President General of Amawbia Nze Chukwukadibia Odumodu, and Royal Father of the Day HRH Igwe Sunday Uchenna Okonkwo, Okpaligwe Amawbia. Mrs. Stella Odumodu, Okwesilieze, will serve as Mother of the Day.
The event is hosted by the Parish Priests of Amawbia’s three Catholic parishes—Rev. Fr. Donatus Oragwam of St. Matthew’s, Rev. Fr. Jerome Okafor of St. Edward’s, and Rev. Fr. Jerome Nwafornso of St. Joseph’s, under the coordination of the Amawbia Catholic Central Pastoral Council and the Centenary Planning Committee led by Engr.Chris Nwoye and Comrade Emeka Ndibe.
The Amawbia Catholic community marks 100 years since the arrival of the Catholic faith in the town in 1925, with a week of events aimed at reflecting on its spiritual journey and strengthening communal bonds.
Regina is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
