Valentine Ozigbo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2021 Anambra governorship election, and his lovely wife, Mrs Ojiugo Ozigbo, joined thousands of Christian faithful for an evening of unusual praise as the Lagos lap of Africa's largest Catholic gospel music event, Unusual Praise, was held on Friday, December 10, 2021.
The uplifting session of thanksgiving, praise, and worship, which took place at Praise Land, Lekki, comes two weeks after the gospel event held at the Cathedral Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha.
The annual praise showpiece is organised by the Catholic Church of Divine Mercy, Lekki. This year's edition attracted several dignitaries, thousands of Christians, and the clergy, including The Most Reverend Alfred Adewale Martins, the Archbishop of The Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos.
Mr Ozigbo, whose non-profit organisation, the Valentine Chineto Ozigbo (VCO) Foundation, co-sponsored Unusual Praise 2021, spoke to journalists on the sidelines of the event, expressing excitement at the growth and impact of the event on the lives of people.
The respected business mogul was on hand to present cash prizes to the winners of Unusual Entrepreneur, a youth business development initiative that started in 2018 when Ozigbo served as Chairman of Unusual Praise.
This year, millions in cash prizes were awarded to over 100 people, winners receiving cash prizes ranging from One Hundred Thousand Naira to One Million Naira.
"I firmly believe that part of our responsibilities as Christians is to support fellow believers. This is why we started Unusual Entrepreneur to empower budding business owners," Mr Ozigbo told members of the press.
"I am grateful to George Agu, the Chairman of Unusual Praise 2021, for making it possible. I also extend my special appreciation to everyone who has made this event possible, especially Rev Monsignor Paschal Nwaezeapu, the parish Priest of the Catholic Church of Divine Mercy," Ozigbo, a multiple award-winning global CEO, said.
While making a brief remark, Archbishop Martins appreciated the organisers, musicians and congregants for coming together to worship God, praying that the evening would mark a turning point in their lives.
"I commend the Catholic Church of Divine Mercy for the commendable effort to ensure that we can have a night like this where we sing, praise and pray with all your hearts.
"I pray that all your praises will rise like a sweet-smelling sacrifice to the Throne of Grace, and Heaven will rain down its blessings on all of us," Archbishop Martins said.
In his highly stirring sermon, Rev Fr Dr Anthony Mario Ozele emphasised the importance of praise, urging Christians to inculcate the habit of praise and thanksgiving, regardless of their circumstance.
The epoch-making event witnessed powerful ministrations by top gospel artistes from around the country, including Sinach, Joe Praise, Frank Edward, Nathaniel Bassey, Tope Alabi, Evang James Arum, BJ Sax, Osinachi Nwachukwu, GUC, Big Bolaji, Blessed Modesta, Nkiru Emmanuel, and Ngozi.
Others are Sir Jude Nnam, Chinyere Udoma, Fabian Nwafor, Rachael, Chinweike, Emeka, Olumide Baritone, and many others who took turns to minister to the large crowd.