Former candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the just concluded Anambra state election Mr. Valentine Ozigbo has doled out a cash grant of N1 million to ten recipients of this year’s Unusual Entrepreneur, a youth business development initiative aimed at empowering budding business owners.
The event which took place during the weekend had thousands of Christian faithful gathered at the Cathedral Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha, to mark the maiden edition of Unusual Praise in Anambra State.
News Echo reports that “Unusual praise” launched in 2011, is now Africa’s largest Catholic gospel event, and Nigerian business mogul Valentine Ozigbo was the primary sponsor through one of Nigeria’s most visible non-profit organisations, Valentine Chineto Ozigbo (VCO) foundation.
In his address at the well-attended event, the founder of the VCO Foundation, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, said “the Unusual praise is a major spiritual event and it has nothing to do with politics. I am happy that I am one of the sponsors and then I set up another empowerment to assist those who are not well to do in church. It’s so wonderful to see that people can go to church not just about their spiritual uplifting but economic empowerment and so this is what brings us together. I have been part and parcel of them”.
“We use this medium of praise to spread the gospel of Christ, you can see the smiles on people’s faces, everywhere is filled with the atmosphere of miracles, watch and see the testimonies that will come out of it”, he assured.
“Since 2018, I have been part and parcel of Unusual Praise, and I will continue to contribute my quota to ensure that we continue this uplifting tradition of praise, thanksgiving, and rededication to God.
“We tried to bring Unusual Praise to Anambra last year, but COVID struck, and we couldn’t achieve that plan, but I am grateful to George Agu, the Chairman of Unusual Praise 2021, for making it possible.
“I am a proud sponsor of Unusual Praise, and I will always be a part of this biggest Catholic gospel event in Africa where children of God can come and uplift their souls.
“I will also be providing mentorship to the winners of Unusual Entrepreneur. In business, counsel, advice, and mentorship are more valuable than money. For someone who is running a budding business, I will provide guidelines to help their businesses grow, and if it is an industry I am not familiar with, I will get the right people to give them the mentorship they need.
While making a brief remark, the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, His Grace, the Most Rev Valerian Okeke, appreciated the organisers, musicians and congregants for coming together to worship God.
“I thank you all for making this night of worship, praise, and thanksgiving possible. Thanksgiving is the best form of prayer. The more you give thanks, the more blessings you receive,” Archbishop Okeke said.
“My prayer is that God will bless you, and may you surmount every impossibility in your lives,” Archbishop, who is the Metropolitan of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, prayed.
The annual musical showpiece is organised by the Catholic Church of Divine Mercy, Lekki, and Onitsha’s event was the first time it is held outside Lagos. This year is also the first double edition of the event, with the Lagos edition scheduled to hold on Friday, December 10, 2021.
The epoch-making event witnessed powerful ministrations by top gospel artistes from around the country, including Joe Praise, Chioma Jesus, Steve Crown, Chinyere Udoma, Osinachi Nwachukwu, Prince Gozie Okeke, Avoma Kids, Olamide Baritone, Evang James Arum, Sir Jude Nnam, Nkiru Emmanuel, and many others who took turns to minister to the large crowd.
Dignitaries present at the event, include the immediate past Governor of Anambra State and Vice Presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2019 general election, His Excellency Peter Obi.
