By Polycarp Ifeanyi, Onitsha
It was a spectacular day of merriments when the Archbishop Valerian Okeke Music Academy (AVOMA) celebrated its 10th year anniversary.
The event which took place at the Shanahan Hall, Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha began with Holy Eucharistic presided by Archbishop of Onitsha Catholic Archdiocese, His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke.
Archbishop Okeke who is the founder and proprietor of the Music Academy, disclosed that he established the music academy in order to brighten the talents of young youths and enhance their brains for academic studies.
He urged parents to make sure that they send their children to a school where they should grow with Christian faith instead of a school where they pay high fees and deny their children the opportunity to serve God.
Preaching his homily titled, “God’s Power and God’s Promises”, Archbishop Okeke linked scripture readings for the day, Isaiah 22:19-23, Romans 11: 33-36 and Mathew 16:13-20.
He made it clear that all power belongs to God, saying that, ” If God likes to give you power, He will give you, but if He decided to take it, He will take it. Pray so that you will do the will of God at all times. If God gives you power, use it to serve Him and never abuse it” said the Archbishop.
He also admonished that human knowledge is insufficient to compare to the knowledge of God, explaining that human judgement is full of errors and incomplete.
“Do not pass judgement on somebody. Remember that judgement is reserved only for God. Don’t be too forward in judging anybody because the person might not have committed the offence, “the Archbishop concluded.
In his appreciation remark, the director of AVOMA, Rev. Fr. John Ezeanowai in a special way eulogized the Archbishop Okeke for making out time to grace the event and to celebrate Holy Mass for them.
He also prayed to God to bless Archbishop Okeke for prayer and financial support to the Academy describing music as a gift from God and as well thanked parents for allowing their Children to enrol in the Academy.
He further explained that there is a difference between choir and music, saying that music Academy is rare in this part of the country just as he said that when the music Academy started, it looked childish.
The cleric appreciated all and sundry who graced the event, especially the Chancellor of Onitsha Archdiocese, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Prudentus Emeka Aroh, Vice Chancellor of Onitsha Archdiocese, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Basil Ekwunife, priests and religious.
At the reception, Vice Chancellor of Onitsha Archdiocese, Very Fr. Dr. Prudentus Emeka Aroh who represented Archbishop Okeke note that Archbishop Okeke has a good vision for Children, praising him for establishing the music Academic for them.
Other dignitaries included; the patron of the Academy, Engr. Johnbosco Okonkwo who was represented by Hon. Ikenna Unachukwu, Sir. T. O Chiegboka( Adams Bread) and others while High points of the event included; Classical, AVOMA dance, cutting of Anniversary cake amongst others.
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