Fathers Day: Akaraonye Bags Ezinwa Nwa Award .. …Charge fathers to lead examplary lives

ThankGod Emeh

It was all Joyous moment as glitz and glamour characterised the Fathers Day celebration of St Mary’s Catholic Parish Umuri Amaimo Ikeduru Local Government Area on May 5, 2024 when the former Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Imo State Council, Chief Christopher Akaraonye among other notable dignitaries was awarded at the occasion.

The double organized event attracted community and family members, friends as well as well wishers from all walks of life to the occasion to cheer their loved ones.

Presenting the award of Honour to a son of the soil, who doubles as inlaw and grandson in Umuri, the Parish Priest of St Mary’s Catholic Parish Umuri, Rev Father Sylvanus Onyejiuwa noted that the award was in “Recognition of
Akaraonye’s immense contribution to the growth of the Catholic Men Organization (CMO) in the church and Parish at large”, adding that he is happy to have the recipient in the list of awardees at the remarkable event.

Receiving the award entitled: Ezinwa-Nwa Umuri, the former Imo NUJ Chairman, Chief Akaraonye said he was overwhelmed by the uncommon Recognition from his maternal home, noting that his maternal kinsmen have over time shown themselves approved as worthy relatives.

Chief Akaraonye however expressed appreciation and assured all of continuing being a good ambassador in society while charging fathers to always lead examplary lives as head of families to put things aright.

Mrs Josephine Akaraonye

Adding her voice, the wife of the awardee, Mrs Josephine Akaraonye thanked the congregation and the CMO in particular for finding her husband worthy for the award and prayed God to honour them collectively and individually.

Mr Osuji celebrating Akaraonye 

Joining in the celebration of the former Imo NUJ Chairman as “Ezinwa Nwa” was his bossom old time friend, Mr Mike Osuji who described Chief Akaraonye as a worthy ally over five decades while commending organizers of the programme for the award initiative.

The Parish Council Chairman, Mr Cajetan Uwa alongside the CMO Chairman of the parish, Mr Bartholomew Okpoebo thanked God for the day, noting that the father’s day celebration wore a unique outlook with the award session having men of substance in their midst; who have proven themselves worthy through community and church works hence the need to give honour to whom it is due.

“We are here to glorify and give Honour to whom honour is due: those who have done well for us, who have regarded and done a lot for the church…so we give them that regard”, they said.

The Parish Council chairman seized the opportunity to call on other members of the church to emulate the Christian and humanitarian lifestyle of the awardees so as to attract God’s blessings, while noting that “Chief Akaraonye is a well known, well behaved Grandson (Nwa-nwa) in Umuri who regards all his relatives as one family” hence the award to encourage him to uphold the good principles.

The highlights of the occasion included the fathers’ joyful dance displays in thanksgiving to God for the day; goodwill messages from invited dignitaries and photoshoot sessions of the celebrating Fathers and awardees.