Chief Louis Onwegbenu hosted Nnewi Diocesan Choir in regards to his 70th birthday celebration.

AN ADDRESS OF WELCOME PRESENTED BY THE MUSIC DIRECTOR, CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF NEWI REV ER STANISLAUS OJIMBA ON THE OCCASION OF THE FINAL CHOIR COMPETITION ORGANIZED IN HONOUR OF THE 70TH BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY OF CHIEF SIR LOUIS ONWUGBENU (OPATAOZUORA NEWI) THIS DAY, 22*° DECEMBER, 2023.

PROTOCOL

INTRODUCTION:
It was Napoleon Hill who said, “If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way. “My job, as I stand here is simple. It is to welcome everyone to this great but rare occasion. It is to welcome you all officially to the final choir competition organized in honour of the 70* birthday anniversary of Chief Sir Louis Onwugbenu (Okpataozuora Nnewi) this day, 22*d December, 2023. Hence, I would like to begin on a note of gratitude.

GRATITUDE

“Gratitude,” the sages say, “is the least of the virtues, but ingratitude is the highest of the vices.” Sequel to this, I most humbly wish to express my heartfelt and unalloyed gratitude to God who remains the Magister Excellentissimus- the Most Excellent Teacher-for making this day a reality. In His love and majesty, He fine tunes us every day, in His indefatigability, He® energizes us every day, still in His sovereignty, He reigns in our Diocese and in His invisibility, He perfects his visible signs of peace in us. What is more, in His incomprehensible nature, he understands us and in His unicity. He unites us in love and makes us one with him. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Still on this note of appreciation, I wishto appreciate the Catholic Bishop of newi Diocese, Most Rev. Jonas- Benson Okoye for his fatherly care and contributions towards making us better Christians who serve God with our voices and for granting the permission in the first place to organize this singing competition. What is more, we must have to appreciate the efforts and the support of Chief Sir Louis Onwugbenu for accepting the request of the Music commission towards organizing this singing competition in honour of his 70th birthday. His approval of the budget of each stage of the competition from the deanery to this particular final stage is worthy of commendation. May God reward you. Worthy of mention in this success story is the manager of Carter Group of companies Mr dubuisiokoli. He provided in each occasion and at different stages

enabling platform were the Music commission members and the Chief host would meet for deliberations and budget approvals. May God reward you and your team of workers.
To our Music commission members, the CCA executives cum all the choristers of different parishes, we say thank you for your sacrifices. I know that a lot went into various preparations in the course of this competition. May God reward all your sacrifices. To our friends and well-wishers who contributed to the success of today’s final competition, | appreciate you all. We therefore thank all and sundry, friends and well- wishers for your presence and massive support all these while.

TODAY’S ACTIVITIES
I would like to quickly add that today is a day designated to complete the Nnewi Catholic Diocesan singing competition in honour of the 70″ birthday celebration of the music-friendly benefactor, Chief Sir Louis Onwugbenu (Okpataozuora Nnewi). It is a day to witness the final competition for grades A and B respectively having completed that of grade C earlier. It is a day to give out trophies to those who distinguished themselves in various regions during the competitions. It is a day set apart for the lovers of music in our Diocese to celebrate the friend of the choristers and of children of God in the person of Chief Sir Louis Onwugbenu (Okpataozuora Nnewi). It is a day to tell our father and friend of the Church, Chief Sir Louis Onwugbenu that we are grateful to God for keeping him alive for the great many of us who are always inspired by his benevolence and kindness to the less privileged. Surely, it is a day set apart for the Music Commission and Catholic Choirs Association of the Catholic Diocese of newi to request the chief celebrant- Chief Sir Louis Onwubgenu that we would like this relationship established with this birthday celebration to continue every year or at least biannually. It is equally a day set apart to create happiness for everyone using music which is the food of the soul amidst the difficulties being experienced in our nation today. Therefore, l would plead with everyone to feel relaxed and enjoy. Finally, I wish to end by quoting Winston Churchill who said, “You make a living by what you earn; you make a life by what you give.” It is very clear to everyone gathered here today that the 70″ birthday celebration of Chief Louis Onwugbenu is a great gift that has made and improved so many lives. I wish therefore to say welcome once more to every gentleman and woman present here today. May God bless you all for coming. We pray the good Lord to lead you safely back to your different destinations at the end of this celebration. Thank you so much. YA GAZIE!!!