The Umuahia Diocesan Council of Catholic Men Organization (UDCCMO), in their 2021 CMO Day Celebration,has honoured 35 men of the association with the award of “Ezinna and Nnaoha”, having stayed over twenty years in marriage successfully.
The event which took place at the Mater Dei Cathedral Umuahia, had members of the Catholic Men Organization (CMO), from various deanary in attendance.
In his address, the President of UDCCMO, Sir Titus Ahaoma Agomuoh, said this year’s celebration is unique because it is taking place in the Centenary year of the diocese, as well as the year of St.Joseph, as declared by Pope Francis.
According to him, the 2021 UDCCMO celebration, is an annual event,that creates the platform to interact and acquaint attendees of the activities of the Men,as well as their goals and objectives.
Sir Agomuoh stated that the UDCCMO is a statutory body which comprises the CMO of the sixty seven parishes in Umuahia Diocese,made up of all married men in the church, as it helps to promote the social, spiritual and economic well being of its members, stressing that the organization also involves in the mental and physical development of her members through seminars, cultural,sports and educational activities.
The CMO president further stated that the organization equally helps and encourages her members who have not received the sacrament of matrimony to do so,as well as, honour those who have distinguished themselves in marriage.
In an interview, the chairman of the Planning Committee for the 2021 celebration, Chief Ben Egeonu, said the UDCCMO celebration,is a day set aside to celebrate the men in the diocese and to give award to men who have been working for the church and their respective families.
Chief Ben Egeonu, Chairman Planning Committee
Egeonu stated that the emphasis of the celebration is basically on the success of the family, adding that when there is peace in the home,it would radiate and reflect in the church and society at large.
He said the church awarded 13 men with the Ezinna award while 22 men were honoured with Nnaoha award, adding that the honour was simply to recognize the men who have stayed over twenty years in marriage regardless of the difficulties, as well, encourage them to be united and strengthened in their marriage.
The Planning Committee Chairman, however, enjoined those who are having misunderstanding in their marriages to thrive to maintain peace and harmony.
Interacting with some of the awardees, the Head of Sales in Golden Guinea Breweries Plc,Umuahia, Sir Christian Mbawuotu Oguibe(KSM), who was honoured with the award of ‘Nnaoha’, promised not to relent in his service in the church.
Nnaoha Christian Oguibe,Nnaoha awardee
According to him,he has been an active contributor to the growth of the church, from a youth leader, to the knight of St Molumba and then to the award of Nnaoha, stressing that the award is a call for more service.
Comr Ugbaoja Stephen Ezikpe(ACAI), expressed joy over the honour done him.According to him, he has been actively involved in the service of God, as far back as 1983. He promised to do more for the kingdom of God, as well, continue to remain a voice to the less privileged and a mediator of peace.
Nnaoha Stephen Ezikpe,Nnaoha awardee
Warrant officer Patrick Okeke Ogbonnaya rtd and his counterpart Achoromadu Peter, who were conferred the Ezinna Award, enjoined fathers to always carry our out their family responsibilities and shun any vices that can bring crisis into the home.
They disclosed that they did not pay for the award, but their tireless contributions to the church both physically and spiritually paved way for the award given to them.
They promised to work hard and give their best in anything that concerns God and the church.
Achoromadu Peter,Ezinna Awardee
Other Nnaoha awardees were Chief Sir Benjamin Esomonu, the core Investor of Golden Guinea Breweries,Plc,Umuahia, Chief Okechukwu Nzenwa, High Chief Sir Blaise-Pascal Agwu among others. While the Ezinna awardees were Bro Onwuegbu Godwin Otuchi, Bro Michael Offor,Bro Fidelis Eke Kalu among others.
