Sunday 18 July 2021: -All roads led to the venue of the celebration of the 40 years of the priestly ordination of the Archbishop of Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha and Metropolitan of Onitsha Ecclesiastical province, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr Valerian Okeke in Enugu State.

Among those that facilitated with him include Cardinal Francis Arinze from Vatican City who presided over the mass and thanked God for keeping Archbishop Okeke alive to celebrate his 40 years of priestly ordination and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in the upcoming November 6 election, Chief Val Ozigbo.

Others that were in attendance at the occasion that witnessed the presence of about 30 Bishops were, former governor of the state, Mr Peter Obi, Chief of Staff to Governor Willie Obiano, Primus Odili, who represented the governor, Senators Victor Umeh, chairman of the occasion, Ifeanyi Ubah and Stella Odua, PDP gubernatorial aspirant, Chief Obiora Okonkwo, All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA Chieftain and Igbo spiritual leader, (Ogirisi Igbo)Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka,

Speaking at the event, Chief Ozigho said that the Archbishop was his namesake and congratulated him saying, “let me formerly congratulate him for the amazing things he has been doing. He is a priest, a leader and not just somebody who has ascended to a high level. He started from being a seminarian to Rev. father, then Bishop and Archbishop”.

“God has endowed him with sufficient wisdom, intellect and he has been doing very well within the body of Christ, catholic church. I am here to celebrate with him and wish him well.”

“I wish him many more years, good health and I wish him great partnership when I will be there as governor next year”

In His own speech, former governor Peter Obi commended the Archbishop’s contributions to society and human development.

Obi described the Archbishop as one who has established a rich legacy of ecclesiastical engagements as a minister of God, teacher and administrator.