A Celebration in Style

Fri, Feb 28, 2014
By publisher
4 MIN READ

Social Diary

It was a memorable day for Victoria Chigbo as her children, relations, friends and well-wishers, gather at Umuoji village in Anambra State, to celebrate her 80th birthday last January

By Chinwe Okafor  |  Mar. 10, 2014 @ 01:00 GMT

IT WAS a day of joy and celebration for Victoria Chigbo and her family as she celebrated her 80th birthday, on January 25. The memorable ceremony, which was celebrated in a grand style, took place at Chigbo’s country home in Umuoji, Anambra state. The celebration started with a church service organised for the celebrant at Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Catholic Church, Umuoji.

The Adolphus Chigbo's family with the mother in the middle
The Adolphus Chigbo’s family with the mother in the middle

During the mass service, the officiating priest thanked God for the life of Chigbo and prayed for long life and sound health. Nwamaka Chigbo, a lawyer and daughter of the celebrant, read the first reading at the service. Friends and well- wishers who were at the occasion also thanked God for her life and wished her many more years on earth.

The reception took place immediately after the mass and was graced by dignitaries from all walks of life. In attendance was Peter Obi, governor of Anambra state, who was represented by JoeMartins Osita Uzodike, commissioner for information in the state, and Comfort Coleman, managing director, Nekego Nigeria limited, among others. Some traditional chiefs of Umuoji were also there as well as some entertainers such as the Otu-Egwuobi dancers who also graced the occasion.

Chigbo was born in Forcados, Warri Province, now Delta State, to late Mark and Christiana Muoghalu. She attended Catholic primary school, and Queen of the Rosary College, Onitsha. She proceeded to Nazareth Teachers’ Training College, Ibowo,  Epe, Lagos State. She worked in the then Department of Statistics, Lagos, and taught in various schools in West Warri and Anambra State. Chigbo, a retired teacher, was married to late Adolphus Chigbo and has six children, namely: Celestine, Nwamaka, Maureen, Anthonia, Gerald and Nwakaego. All the children and in-laws attended the event.

Chigbo with clergy, Mass servers and family
Chigbo with clergy, Mass servers and family
Chigbo with members of her family
Chigbo with members of her family
Chigbo and her kins women
Chigbo and her kins women
Chigbo with her fellow Patronesses of Catholic Women Organisation
Chigbo with her fellow Patronesses of Catholic Women Organisation
Chigbo handing over the microphone to the MC after giving vote of thanks in the church
Chigbo handing over the microphone to the MC after giving vote of thanks in the church
Chigbo receiving Holy Communion
Chigbo receiving Holy Communion
Chigbo with the in-laws and grandchildren
Chigbo with the in-laws and grandchildren
Chigbo with Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Catholic Church, Umuoji, Choristers
Chigbo with Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Catholic Church, Umuoji, Choristers
Chigbo and his inlaw Reverend Father Emeka Nnamani
Chigbo and his inlaw Reverend Father Emeka Nnamani
Maureen Chigbo, her mother and friend Coleman
Maureen Chigbo, her mother and friend Coleman
A cross-section of patronesses at the mass service
A cross-section of patronesses at the mass service
A cross-section of Women in Chigbo's Thanksgiving Mass
A cross-section of Women in Chigbo’s Thanksgiving Mass
Chigbo with a group of Catholic Women Organisation
Chigbo with a group of Catholic Women Organisation
Chigbo with officials of CWO and Life members
Chigbo with officials of CWO and Life members
Ms Chigbo, lawyer, took the 1st reading
Ms Chigbo, lawyer, took the 1st reading
Chigbo and her brother Engr Arinze Patrick Muoghalu
Chigbo and her brother Engr Arinze Patrick Muoghalu
Pius Idemili, retired principal and uncle to Chigbo
Pius Idemili, retired principal and uncle to Chigbo
Chigbo and Okey Udah, a lawyer and traditional chief
Chigbo and Okey Udah, a lawyer and traditional chief
Chigbo cutting her cake with Uda, Muoghalu and daughters looking on
Chigbo cutting her cake with Uda, Muoghalu and daughters looking on
Chigbo dancing while guests and live band sang Happy Birthday to her
Chigbo dancing while guests and live band sang Happy Birthday to her
Muoghalu, a traditional chief breaking kolanut
Muoghalu, a traditional chief breaking kolanut
Some Traditional Chiefs at the ceremony
Some Traditional Chiefs at the ceremony
Joe Martins Osita Uzodike, Commissioner of Information whorepresented Gov. Obi of Anambra
Joe Martins Osita Uzodike, Commissioner of Information whorepresented Gov. Obi of Anambra
Head of the liveband giving a rendition
Head of the liveband giving a rendition
Liveband dancers entertaining guests
Liveband dancers entertaining guests
Otu Egwuobi Dancers entertaining guests
Otu Egwuobi Dancers entertaining guests
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One thought on "A Celebration in Style"

  1. ‘Age..is a matter of feeling, not of years’. Wishing many happy returns, Many more years and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to mama!