By kelechi ugo
Activities marking 2014 Owerri Archdiocesan Day and Odenigbo Celebration kicks off tomorrow being Friday 5th September, 2014 at Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, Imo state with the usual cultural entertainment including wrestling, dancing, choral presentation and light snack will start at 4pm while the grand finale of the ceremony holds weekend at the same cathedral with the underlisted activities. (1) Holy Mass begins at 9am. (ii) The Homily will be delivered by Archbishop Anthony J.V Obinna. (iii) The usual financial support for the Archdiocese and Odenigbo will follow. (iv) meals will be served about 12 noon. (v) Odenigbo lecture procession with the odes begins at 1pm.
Briefing newsmen on Tuesday, the Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese, His Grace, Most Rev Anthony J.V Obinna disclosed that the elevation of Owerri Diocese to an Archdiocese in 1994 gave the practical impetus to the Archiocesan-Odenigbo celebration. Archbishop Obinna declared that the archness bestowed on the diocese was an invitation and challenge to root the gospel of salvation deep into our lives and culture, to purify rectify and sanctify every part of Igbo culture, to draw into holy communion and communication whatever is noble, good and beautiful from Igbo culture especially Igbo “Chikere-ness” and Igbo language as well as rejecting what is evil, inhuman and harmful there in.
“Complementarily, the Archdiocese was to radiate the saving and critical light of Christ into every department of human life-private and public, religious and civil, ecclesial and governmental. This year’s Odenigbo lecture focuses on Ochichi-oma-olileanya Ohanaeze (Good governance), the peoples expectation) professor Chinedum Uzoma Nwajiuba is the Odeningo lecture”, the Archbishop revealed.
Earlier, the Archbishop intimated newsmen on his recent trip to Virginia in limited states of America for the first Igbo World Wide Festival of Arts and culture which took place near the Igbo village farm museum built in Staunton, Virginia, USA. According to him, the organizers of Igbo Festival in America requested him as the founder of Odenigbo lecture celebration to present address in Igbo language where he furnished the participants with a topic titled “Onye Kwere-Ozi Agbamume Nye ndi Igbo Niile” Archbishop Obinna told newsmen that he declared that it was a marvel that after years of slavery, the posterity of the enslaved West Africans especially the Igbos could come to the land of their enslavement and enslavers and confidently lift up their heads to continue their life journey as “new dignified Igbos.
