Fides Media Living the Faith
By Chioma Ndife
A Statesman and an indigene of Awka Community, Lawrence Onyejekwe Adigwe, has attributed the success and progress recorded in various spheres of his life to God’s steady presence.
Adigwe disclosed these while speaking to Fides on the motive behind the 80 years birthday celebration held on 28th December, 2019. The birthday party commenced with a concelebrated Eucharistic celebration led by the former Bishop of Ahiara Diocese, Most. Rev. Ebelechukwu Okpaleke at SS John and Paul Catholic Church, Awka, Anambra State.
He noted that the celebration was geared at appreciating God for his benevolence and accomplishment which had been recorded through the inspiration and directions of God. He said that the numerous incidences that had occurred in his life had shown that God’s hand had been steady in his life. He maintained that the attainment of 80 years of age was an additional blessing reserved for those who he described as apple of God’s eye, a category he claimed membership of.
He disclosed that the celebration had created an avenue for him to testify about the goodness of God in his life and reflect on the impact he had made in the lives of people that had come across his life. He attributed the directions and guidance he had given to people in their various points of life which had helped them to achieve one success or the other to God’s doing.
The celebrant, described his wife as his biggest blessing, saying her presence in his life helped greatly in the completion of the purpose which God had created him for. He said he could boast of his children due to the effort and sacrifices made by his wife at their formative years, saying every commendation and congratulations should be for his wife.
Also speaking, the celebrants’ wife, Mrs. Ngozi Adigwe, said that the birthday was to appreciate God for the gift of life and celebrate her husband whom she described as a gentle man, lover of peace, a disciplined individual who stands always for the truth because of his firm believe that goodwill was better than money.
The celebrant’s son, Obinna Francis Adigwe, who described the celebrant as his friend, said that his father’s 80 years of existence had been laced with lots of impacts in the lives of people who came across him.He noted that he has been able to learn about the importance of building a good reputation rather than wealthfrom his dad, saying that such had helped him greatly in life.
On their part, the celebrant’s first daughter, Mrs. Ada Adigwe-Obukwe and the last Daughter, Chizoba Adigwe, recalled their childhood days, and thanked their father for the memorable childhood which they had and described him as a community and family man who was also willing to make things right.
Contributing, the first son of the celebrant, Emeka Adigwe, CSP; and the last son, Chukwuezugo Adigwe, alongside the celebrant’s nephew, Engr. Charles Adigwe, expressed happiness over the style of upbringing given to them and commended him for his guidance which made them take decisions that paid off in life. They expressed happiness over the good health which God had decorated their father with and hoped to celebrate the 90th birthday in ten years to come.
Cutting of cake, dance performances, and presentation of gifts among others were highpoints of the celebration which attracted people from various walks of life and places who came to share in the joy of Sir Lawrence Adigwe, a onetime Sole Administrator of Njikoka Local Government Council.
The 80th Birthday Celebrant, Lawrence Adigwe; Justice of Peace (3rd right) poses with some of his children and relations at the Birthday party
The celebrant, Lawrence Adigwe; Justice of Peace and his wife, Mrs. Ngozi Adigwe cut the 80th Birthday Cake