- Bishop Amatu lauds Archbishop Obinna over Odenigbo

The wedding between Engr. Dr. Chimaobi Vincent Emeakaroha, son of Prince Sir Mayor Eugene and Lady Juliana Emeakaroha and Miss Chinwendu Peace Ike at St. Peter’s Catholic Parish Umunohu/Amakohia Ihitte/Uboma LGA, Imo State, could best be said to be an international melting pot as a galaxy of Catholic clergy, the religious and academic bigwigs from Europe stormed the ceremony.

Most Rev. Solomon Amatu, Catholic Bishop of Okigwe, was the chief celebrant of the Mass.  He was assisted by Permanent Rev. Deacon Othomar Josef  Ableidinger (Austria), Rev. Fr. Dr. Emeka Emeakaroha (Austria) and over 60 Nigerian priests among them Rev. Fr. Dr. Kevin Madu (host Parish Priest) and his Curate, Rev. Fr. Franklin Okoro.

Others were rev. Fr. Dr. Greg Ohagwu, Fr. Dr. Simon Okeke, Msgr. Eugene Onuoha, Fr. Dr. Michael Agbai (Rector), Fr. Dr. Isidore Nwanaju to mention but a few.

Lay faithful in the heterogeneous congregation included Prof. Maurice Iwu, Chief Anthony Onuh Supreme Knight, Knights of St. Mulumba Nigeria, Senator (Amb) Matthew Nwagwu, Lady Chinedu Brown, Owerrri Metro President, Ladies of St. Mulumba, Bar. Sir/Lady (Dr.) Soronnadi Njoku (Wedding Sponsors) HRH Eze H.N. Ofoegbu, Lady Uche Ejiogu, Eze G. Okwuaka and many Catholic faithful from Europe.

In his homily, delivered in Igbo language, Bishop Amatu alerted the Igbo nation that Igbo language is fast going into extinction and cautioned that if the language of any people dies, nothing remains of them.  He observed that foreign TV stations and other broadcast media including DSTV Nollywood, run programmes in such Nigerian languages as Hausa and Yoruba but non in Igbo, a situation he attributed to greed on the side of producers of Igbo extraction who would rather opt for relatively wider audience and by implication more monetary gains.  He condemned the relegation of Igbo language to the status of “language for the illiterates and never-do-wells” and called for a stop to what he described as oyibo mentality.

Evidently overwhelmed by some Europeans who said the prayer of the faithful in Igbo language, Bishop Amatu declared the day as truly that of speaking in tongues.  He extolled the Archbishop of Owerri Province, Most Rev. Anthony J.V. Obinna for the annual Odenigbo lecture.  Similar kudos went to the formerVice-Chancellor Unizik Awka Prof. Peter Ejiofo for instituting the SUBAKWA Igbo programme.

For the fledgling couple, Bishop Amatu told them to always seek the joy and comfort of each other, not self, and imbibe tolerance and patience.  He said the promise of God to the married is obtainable on condition that they walk in His ways, fear and respect Him, and told the groom to lead his family to God.

Host Parish Priest, Fr. Kevin Madu expressed gratitude to all present on the occasion especially the Bishop, all priests and dignitaries, among them Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie, HRH Denis Ogwuegbu, Comr. Val Mbabara and all the 45 Grand Knights of St. Mulumba in Owerri Metro Council.

The newly wedded were inducted into the CWO and CMO by the respective organizations.’ Uniforms and other paraphernalia were presented to them.  Bishop Amatu read out the apostolic blessing of |Pope Francis to the couple.

The groom, Dr. Chimaobi Vincent Emeakaroha and his bride Chinwendu jointly said, “Thanks for coming” to all their guests.

Prof. B.E.B. Nwoke of the Imo State University Owerri was chairman at the reception which featured in the main, cutting of the wedding cake, toast and nuptial dance.  Opening prayer for this segment was by Chief Anthony Onuh, the Supreme Knight.

The Owerri Metro-Grand Knight and father of Dr. Chimaobi, Prince Sir Mayor Eugene O.N. Emeakaroha and wife Nneoma Lady Juliana spoke with THE LEADER during which the duo expressed exceeding joy and pride for God’s blessing on their children and described their son Chimaobi as brilliant and industrious.  They applauded his wisdom in taking a wife from home  and wished the couple all the blessings of marriage and harmonious union as their parents.

Rev. Fr. Dr. Emeka Emeakaroha, Austrian-based brother of the groom thanked the teeming Austrians and Germans in the language they understand, to the admiration of guests; his gratitude also went to the Local Ordinary of Okigwe Diocese, Most Rev. S.A. Amatu, the clergy, religious and laity from Nigerian and friends from Europe.

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