About 90 distinguished personalities were recently honoured in Onitsha, Anambra State by the National Council of Catholic Women Organisation (NCCWO) during it golden jubilee celebration. The Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) founded in 1964 by Chief (Mrs) Victoria Okoye in the Onitsha Archdiocese has spread to all dioceses and provinces in Nigeria with significant and record breaking success stories.
Preaching the homily at the holy mass at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha, Archbishop Valerian Okeke described the jubilee year as a time of liberation when those in bondage are set free.
He called for a new generation of Catholic mothers where individuals from diverse cultures and groups should renew their lives.
The Archbishop stated that the success of the CWO is hinged on love, selflessness and sacrifice, adding that one good leader could change the entire country.
The celebration, according to the organizers, is for the old Onitsha Province comprising three provinces of Onitsha, Owerri and Calabar with 18 dioceses.
At the reception, the chairman on the occasion, Prof. Kate Omenugha, who is the Commissioner for Education, Anambra State, expressed delight that the association has clocked 50.
She charged the Catholic women to hold firmly the spirituality inculcated in them to become role models for others to emulate.
She also prayed for the continuous growth of the organization.
National President of the NCCWO, Mrs Agnes Erogunwaye, paid tribute to the founding fathers of the CWO in Nigeria; the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria who initiated the CWO in Nigeria, as well as their mothers in faith for dedicating their time and talent to the growth of CWO in the country.
While thanking God for the beauty and zeal the CWO has added to the Catholic Church, she noted that the organization has contributed immensely to the overall work of evangelization in the country and charged the golden jubilee awardees to let their light shine more and more for the propagation of the faith.
The Director, CWO Onitsha Archdiocese, Lady Beatrice Madueke in her welcome address presented by her Secretary, Lady Rose Okpala, appreciated all who came to witness the epoch event.
She said the Onitsha Archdiocese was blessed to have sown the seed which germinated across the country and lauded the awardees for making the list of those honoured.
In their respective comments, the President, Onitsha Province, Mrs Stella Ojadi, the Mother Founder, Chief (Mrs) Victoria Okoye and the President, Calabar Province, Lady (Amb) Sarah Oyengha expressed joy to be part of the golden jubilee celebration.
One of the awardees, Prof Osita Ogbu, former Economic Adviser to the President during the Obasanjo administration, thanked the CWO for finding them worthy for recognition.
The highpoints of the celebration was the declaration of the founder of the organization, Chief (Mrs) Victoria Okoye as the CWO Legend, cutting of the golden jubilee cake and presentation of awards to recipients.
The Sun
