By Uchenna Ezeadigwe
Awka
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha and Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke, has been honoured with the prestigious Anambra Person of the Decade Award.
The historic award was presented to the Archbishop at the Stanel Dome, Awka, venue of the ceremony.
The recognition, the first of its kind, honours Archbishop Okeke for his outstanding contributions to evangelisation, education, healthcare, humanitarian services, spiritual renewal, moral re-engineering, youth formation and the socio-economic development of Anambra State and beyond.
According to the organisers, no individual, living or dead, had previously received the award, making the honour a landmark recognition of Archbishop Okeke’s visionary leadership and selfless service to God and humanity.
The award also celebrates his enduring contributions to the transformation of lives, communities and society across Anambra State and beyond.
Speaking during an interview after receiving the honour, Archbishop Okeke said the recognition would inspire him to do more in his service to God and humanity.
He expressed gratitude for the honour, adding that it would further strengthen his commitment to serving the Church, the people and society at large.
In his remark, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka Don, who is also a nephew to Archbishop, Prof. Tochukwu J Okeke, told our correspondent that the award was well-deserved. “I commend the organizers of the AMTY award for a job well done
Archbishop Valerian Maduka Okeke has earlier been recognized nationally by the Nigerian Correctional centre as the Grand Patron of Persons in Custody for the transformational works he is doing in our correctional centres through his prison apostolate so, it is a thing of joy that he (AB Val) is equally recognized in his home state of Anambra because he has done so much for the Church and humanity.”
“The schools that won accolades were all schools under his watch (Mater Amabilis, Umuoji and St. Charles’ College, Onitsha) these are testimonials of the good works of the Archbishop
I believe that this recognition will encourage him to keep doing the good he is known for.
Remember, his motto is “Ut Vitam Habeant” (that they may have life) and he has been giving life to the society through his episcopacy.”
Other dignitaries and well-wishers such as Hon Ifeanyi Ibezim celebrated and Rev Dr Adimike described him as a divine gift to humanity, whose contributions to the development of Anambra State and society would continue to be remembered and celebrated.
