Celebrating loved ones when they are still alive was the brain behind the eightieth birthday, sixty seventh birthday and forty-seventh marriage anniversary of Chief Samuel Agunwa and Queen Elizabeth Ijeoma Odogwu.
The three joyful celebrations were organized by the children of the celebrants led by the first child of the family, Dr Odogwu Emeka Odogwu who is also the chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Anambra state council.
Beginning with family thanksgiving at Holy Trinity Anglican church, Amanuke, Awka North Local Council Area, the event attracted respected individuals in the society, including the UNIZIK family, members of NUJ, Anambra state council, leaderships of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and NULGE, Comrades Humphrey Nwafor and Chikwelu Adigwe, members of Radio Television and Theater Arts Workers Union, RATTAWU led by their Vice President South East, Prince Emeka Kalu, friends and well-wishers as well as people of Amanuke.
Speaking after dedicating the Odogwu family to God for more blessings and good health, the Archbishop of Anglican Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese Most Reverend Alexander Ibezim said that the love between the couple should be emulated, and identified patience, tolerance and understanding as the bedrock of every successful marriage.
Most Reverend Ibezim regretted that many marriages are breaking soon after they were established, advising young couples to make God the pillar of their marriages for them to have a successful relationship.
Earlier in a sermon, Reverend Canon Rueben Okafor of Urum Archdeaconry, appreciated God for giving the couple strong health after battling many life-threatening ailments and commended their children for taking care of them very well as according to him, if the children had not fought hard, they would have been lamenting now.
After the thanksgiving service, a reception was held at Central School Amanuke where the Odogwu spared no resources in treating their guests to sumptuous dishes and assorted drinks.
In their separate speeches, the Labour Party Flag Bearer during the Anambra state gubernatorial election, Chief Val Ozigbo and the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, Paul University Awka, Professor Stella Okunna said the move by Dr Odogwu and siblings to celebrate their parents was highly commendable unlike others who build fine houses and kill several cows during the burial ceremonies of their loved ones who lacked good things of life when they were alive.
Addressing the gathering, the chairman on the occasion Mr Kingsley Uyammadu said it is rare to see people celebrate their parents in such magnitude and noted that people prefer to celebrate their loved ones during burial ceremonies.
The celebrants Chief Samuel and wife Queen Elizabeth while giving history of their life together and how they found each other expressed appreciation to God for blessing them with wonderful children who despite their humble beginnings, have risen to various reputable positions in the society, praying God to continue to guide and promote them.
On their parts, Dr Odogwu and wife Obialunamma narrated how their parents suffered when they were sick, recalling that their father suffered stroke three consecutive times while their mother was bedridden for years, and thanked God for his grace which is sufficient for them.
Another son of the celebrants Brother Ikechukwu and wife Chisom Odogwu were full of appreciation to God for the life of their parents, praying God to keep them as one united family.
Melodious Nkwa group songs were rendered by young wives of Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Amanuke, while cutting of anniversary cake and dance by the celebrants added colour to the occasion.
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