..as She marks 60th Birthday
By Uzo Ugwunze
The Children of Prof Kate Omenugha, the Acting Vice Chancellor Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, COOU, Igbariam have celebrated her by donating various categories of academic endowment to the Alma maters where the Matriarch schooled while growing up.
The Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Youth Empowerment Program, Dr. Nelson Omenugha gifted scholarships to 60 Indigent pupils while the entire Ichie Obama Dynasty’ donated 1 million naira Education endowment fund as prize for overall Best Students to Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe, NOCEN and Maria Regina Model Comprehensive Secondary School (MRMCSS), Nnewi to mark her mum’s 60th birthday.
Also, in commemoration of the 60th birthday of his mother, Prof Kate Azuka Omenugha, Acting Vice Chancellor Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, COOU, Dr. Nelson Omenugha built a Rendezvous center for St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Nnobi.
Speaking at St Paul’s Catholic Church Nnobi, Idemili South LGA, Anambra State during the Blessing cum Commissioning of the Parish Rendezvous by His Eminence, Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpaleke, Dr Nelson Omenugha said that he and his siblings could not forget all the selfless sacrifices their mother made with the help of their father, Chief Dr. Michael Omenugha (Ichie Obama Nnobi) to give them the best education and raise them in the things of God which contributed to making them relevant in their generation.
“This parish rendezvous project that was finished in 50 days started when I was about churching my daughter Chihotaram. At my inquiry, Our Parish priest mentioned it as a need abandoned since 2022.
So, when my siblings were discussing what we can purchase to make our Mum, Mother General’s 60th birthday remarkable. I came up with this project and decided to fund it because of the impact it will have on the church as a place for strategic meetings, trainings and reception.
“With some financial assistance from Chief Cletus Ibeto who encouraged me by reiterating that it is Christians that will sponsor church projects not pagans, I was able to build this parish rendezvous. I will use this opportunity to call on young people to sponsor church projects because there are blessings in doing so.
“Also, knowing that my mum is an educator, I decided to pay for the uniforms and tuition fees of 60 Indigent pupils from Community central school (St Mary’s Catholic) for 2025/2026 academic session. Moreso, I will continue the payment for any of these pupils who takes 1st position in class till that pupil graduates from primary 6.”
“Our family, ‘Ichie Obama Dynasty’ decided to give endowment fund to my mum’s Alma maters – MRMCSS, Nnewi and NOCEN for the next five years which is renewable. #500,000 Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha Prize for overall Best Students of SSS2 to enable them purchase WAEC and JAMB forms. Another #500,000 Prof Kate Azuka Omenugha Prize for overall Best Students of English language and English Literature Department, NOCEN, all in commemoration of our Mum’s 60th birthday which she marks on 30th January yearly,” he said.
The celebrator, Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha who was emotional about the depth of love shown her by her children for deciding to immortalize her while she was still alive prayed God to bless them, the COOU community and well wishes.
She attributed the secret of her life and career success to include love for the church, prayers to God and family unity applauding her husband for being supportive throughout her quest for education and career.
In a vote of thanks, the Provost NOCEN, Dr. Justina Anyadiegwu on behalf of the recipients, commended Dr Nelson Omenugha and her siblings for the scholarships and the endowment fund promising that the students will do their best not just to come out in flying colors but to be the best in their chosen career so as to give back to the society that helped them achieve their dreams.
Highlights of the event include the Blessing cum commissioning of the Parish Rendezvous by Cardinal of the Catholic Church, His Eminence Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpaleke, flanked by Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Bishop JonasBenson Okoye and many Priests including Press Secretary to the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Rev Fr. George Adimike, Rendition of a special Poem written about Prof Kate Omenugha by students of MRMCSS Nnewi, cutting off Birthday cake, presentation of Papacy gifts to the celebrator from the Vatican city.
Other Dignitaries present include House of Assembly Member for Idemili South, Barr. Ebuka Igwe Ugosinachi, Youth Leader Umuru Nnobi, Emeka Ezeoduma Mmirioma, Youth Ernestly Seek Soludo YESS group, COOU management and principal officers, among others.