Wife of the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Ezinne Catherine Onyeme, will be the Special Guest of Honourable at this year’s edition of Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols of Maris Schools, Amachai, Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State.
A statement signed by the Chairman, Organising Committee for the Festival, Mr James Oriya, stated that Ezinne Onyeme who celebrated the anniversary of her birth on Wednesday is expected to be accompanied to the venue by top government functionaries, and her friends, especially, members of Lions Club International.
Mr Oriya, added that preparations are in top gear to ensure that this year’s Festival is soul-lifting, fun and a meeting point for re-union by old friends as it is known for.
He said, “we at Maris Schools, Amachai, Okpanam, in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State are pleased to inform the public that the annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by the grace of God, shall hold on Friday, December 6, 2024 from 11 am at Maris Hall of our school, Maris Schools.
“As usual, this year’s festival promises to be fun-filled, soul-lifting and more as we put ourselves in the mood for Christmas.
“The wife of the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Ezinne Catherine Onyeme, has confirmed that she will be physically present at the occasion accompanied by top government functionaries, her friends and in particular, members of Lions Club International.
“With the recent approval of Maris Hall for use as a Mass Centre by the Catholic Bishop of Issele-Uku Diocese, Most Revd. Dr. Michael Odogwu Elue, the Priest that is in charge of the centre, Rev. Fr. Andrew Mozia will be at the festival with Catholics who worshipped at the Mass Centre.
“Rev. Fathers John Konyeke, Malachi Okonkwo and Mark Nwoko are regular faces at the annual Festival and we hope to see them and other Catholic Priests and the religious.
“It would also, be recalled that former Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, CON, Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwado, Chief Emma Ejiofor, Hon. Uche Uraih, among other dignitaries have attended our events at Maris Schools.
“Our students and pupils are in high spirit as they look forward to display their talents to people that they regard as their role models, people who they will have opportunity of seeing physically for the first time.
“Naturally, members of Exclusive Committee of Friends (EXCOF) led by Elder Sunny Edoge would also attend and participate actively at the Festival which will feature scripture readings, hymns, music by choir from the school and those invited from other churches, especially, those from Catholic Church of the Ascension, Asaba and St. Raphael’s Catholic Church, Okpanam will add colour to the event.
“For the first time, we shall have a tested orator, a prolific writer and gentleman, Mr Godfrey Ubaka who is the General Manager of The Pointer Newspapers coming to our Festival as a compere and he will work closely with another popular Master of Ceremonies, Mr Stephen Nweke who we believe will surely miss the presence of Miss Brenda Okolie, who did a duet with him in the year 2021 edition of this festival. Shortly, after the 2021 edition, Miss Brenda left the shores of Nigeria to acquire more knowledge in the United Kingdom. We should remember her in our prayers.
“We also, look forward to seeing members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm, that is, journalists, members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists and Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF), attending the festival with our respected parents and guardians.
“Once again, our year 2024 edition of Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols shall hold on Friday, December 6, 2024 at Maris Schools, No.1, Maris Street, Amachai, Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State,” Mr Oriya said.
By Onyiyechi Ikeh
