It was happiness and jubilation galore at Umuriam quarters of Nawfia community, in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, as people from all walks of life across Nigeria and the Diaspora converged to felicitate with Mrs. Augustina Anyanwu (Nne Ora), who marked her 80th birthday amidst pomp and pageantry.
The epoch-making ceremony, held at the Umu Nwaduka country home of the octogenarian, turned into a carnival as her children, grandchildren, relatives, and well-wishers joyfully showered encomiums and gifts on the celebrant. Different uniformed women groups, traditional dances, and even masquerade troupes were there to thrill the galaxy of dignitaries and guests in a lavish display of the rich cultural heritage of the Nawfia community.
Among distinguished guests at the colourful birthday party were Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo; Hon. Chinedu Nwoye, Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor; Princess Ebele Nwankwo; and the Managing Director/CEO of Don Tony Group, Chief Anthony Ilozue, who is a younger brother of the celebrator.
Congratulating Anyanwu for joining the octogenarian club, her son-in-law, Hon. Christopher Okeke prayed God to grant her posterity in joy, sound health, and more blessings while lauding her spirit of generosity, charity, humility, tolerance, open-heartedness, altruism, and forgiveness without any grudges, which he candidly reasoned to be the secret of her vibrant health status at her age.
Nwoye, who is also the Chief of Protocol the state governor paid glowing tributes to Anyanwu for the motherly care, useful advice, philanthropy, and altruism as legacies worthy of emulation by the present and future generations.
Also, passing a birthday message to the Amazon, her daughter, Mrs. Uche Okeke thanked God for the great gift of a caring mother, who stood with her through rain and shine, always helping with the sound upbringing of her six offspring. She prayed for continued divine grace, sound health, and longevity for their matriarch.
Ilozue was full of praise for Anyanwu’s generosity, mutual love, and concern for downtrodden people. He fervently prayed for God’s continued blessings, protection, and long life to attain her 90th and centenarian birthday in sound health and vivacity.
Some of Anyanwu’s grandchildren expressed their appreciation through birthday messages. They included Ms. Chikaodili Okeke and Nkemjika Okeke, both of whom lauded and appreciated the unforgettable impacts, motherly counseling, and kindness of the celebrant with wishes of happiest birthday celebration and continued God’s blessings, protection, and long life in sound health for her in the years ahead.
Major highlights of the epoch-making event were the exchange of gifts by the celebrator to the guests and vice-versa, a special award to her daughter, Mrs. Okeke, by the daughters and widows in the community for her kind assistance and concern for the downtrodden in the town and beyond.
