By Tobias Ekirika
The Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity Field, Onitsha was agogu last Saturday as members of Catholic Men Organization (CMO) from different parishes in Onitsha Archdiocese gathered to mark her maiden Convention.
The maiden convention was themed "Champion of Christ, Defender of Faith and Family" and was aimed at building an E-Library in support of Shanahan University, Onitsha, founded by the Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke .
In his homily during the Holy Mass to mark the event, the Vicar General of Onitsha Archdiocese, Very Rev. Fr. JohnBosco Okafor, who represented Archbishop Okeke, reminded fathers of their vital role as heads of their families.
He urged them to be focused, to participate actively in CMO meetings, the Church and society at large, and advised them to vote for credible individuals rather than political parties in the forthcoming general elections.
In an interview with journalists, at the event, the Archdiocesan Chaplain of CMO very Rev Fr.Sampson Ogbuebune expressed gratitude to God for the success of the convention.
He observed that unlike in the past when participation was low, fathers are now responding positively through the collective efforts of his office and the President-General.
Fr. Ogbuebune explained that members unanimously agreed to vote for individuals with capacity, conscience and the fear of God, irrespective of political affiliation.
"We have agreed to vote for an individual contesting for a position, not a political party. When the individual is good, the party will be good. If we go for party and neglect the individual, we may not get what we want," he stated
The Chairman of the occasion, Chief Sir Aloysius Azubuike Okafor KSJI commended the Chaplain of the Onitsha Archdiocesan Catholic Men Organisation (CMO), Very Rev. Fr. Sampson Ogbuebune, and the President-General, Chief Sir Everistus Ubah, for their prudent leadership and commitment to repositioning the Organisation.
Chief Okafor noted that the collaborative leadership of Fr. Ogbuebune and Chief Ubah has strengthened the growth and progress of CMO in the Archdiocese.
"I thank our Chaplain, Fr. Ogbuebune, and our President-General, Chief Sir Everistus Ubah. They are doing wonderfully well and we need to support them to revive CMO the more. This convention is a time for CMO to gather and chart the way forward," he said.
He described men as heads of families and urged members to make the Organisation functional through active participation in its programmes, expressing confidence that the present leadership has made CMO more formidable.
Also speaking, the President-General, Chief Sir Everistus Ubah, popularly known as 'Oba Nnabuenyi,' described CMO as a Christian Organisation and not a partisan group.
He said the Organisation would support only individuals who are known, accessible and ready to serve the people selflessly.
"Somebody who will serve you is somebody you can interact with. If you don't interact with the person, how will he serve you?" he queried.
In his remarks, the President Emeritus, Hon. Sir Ifeanyichukwu E. S. Nnajiaku, KSM, expressed delight at the progress of CMO since handing over leadership to Chief Ubah, noting that the Organisation is growing from strength to strength.
He said the essence of the convention was to remind fathers of their core roles in their families, the Church and society, describing the family as a domestic Church.
Dignitaries at the event included Senator Tony Nwoye, representing Anambra North Senatorial District, and his Anambra Central counterpart, Senator Victor Umeh.
Senator Nwoye pledged to build the proposed E-Library at Shanahan University on behalf of the Onitsha Archdiocesan CMO.
Highlights of the event included announcement of football, quiz, march-past competition which Onitsha Region clinched first position in football and quiz, while Iyiowa Odekpe emerged first in march-past.