By Okechukwu Onuegbu
At least ten young entreprenuers from different parts of the country were on Saturday, empowered with millions of Naira cash as Unusual Praise, Africa's largest Catholic gospel event stormed Onitsha, Anambra State.
The beneficiaries including Chuma Agudo, Nwagu Tochukwu, Jonbosco Chigozie, Ugwu George, Ugwuneke Ikechukwu, Chukwunenye Obodoefune, Nnamani Ikechukwu, Obidiwe George and Okeke Uzoamaka received N400,000 each as winners of 2021 Unusual Entrepreneur.
Unusual Entrepreneur, a youth business development initiative aimed at empowering budding business owners, was introduced in 2018 by Mr Valentine Ozigbo, the founder of Valentine Ozigbo Foundation (VCO), when he Chaired Unusual Praise.
Fact check reports that the Unusual Praise music was organised by the Catholic Church of Divine Mercy, Lekki, but the edition held at Onitsha's from Friday night to Saturday morning was sponsored by Ozigbo and it was its first time of being held outside Lagos.
Among the gospel artistes who ministered at the event with their soul winning music were Joe Praise, Chioma Jesus, Steve Crown, Chinyere Udoma, Osinachi Nwachukwu, Prince Gozie Okeke, Avoma Kids, Olamide Baritone, Evang James Arum, Sir Jude Nnam, and Nkiru Emmanuel.
Speaking at the occasion, Ozigbo, who attended with his wife, Ojiugo, other family members and some stalwarts of the Peoples Democractic Party (PDP) including Mr Peter Obi expressed excitement at having Unusual Praise in his home state.
He said, "Unusual Praise is an avenue for us to praise God in an uncommon manner. To do this, we plan to achieve several other objectives, including the propagation of the gospel of Christ. For those of us who are usually busy, Unusual Praise presents an opportunity for us to devote an evening to thank God for all he has done for us and prepare for the coming year.
"It is also an avenue for us to identify those who need help in their businesses and empower them. In 2018 when I chaired this event, we had the privilege of setting up the Unusual Entrepreneur platform, and I am incredibly pleased to be present as it is being held in my home state, Anambra.
"The essence of this is for you to be empowered and make an impact using your chosen business. Significantly, this empowerment is coming from the church because it is crucial to combine hard work and faith to achieve powerful results. It is also important that you stay focused and listen to advise from your mentors. The mentorship that comes with the cash grant is key to your progress, and I am offering myself to be one of your mentors," Ozigbo, a multiple award-winning global CEO, said to rapturous applause from the crowd.
Also in an interview, Ozigbo, who was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the just-concluded Anambra governorship election, affirmed that his sponsorship of Unusual Praise had no political undertone as he has been a part of the program for several years before his foray into politics.
"Unusual Praise is a major spiritual event that has nothing to do with politics. In 2018, I was privileged to be the Chairman of Unusual Praise, and I set up another project called Unusual Entrepreneur for us to empower those who are not so well to do. 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. We are also here to pray for our leaders and those in authority. We need peace and visionary leadership where nobody is marginalised," the international business mogul added.
In a 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. 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 second edition of the event has been sheduled to hold at Lagos edition on Friday, December 10, 2021.