Maduako Igbokwe l Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021
ONITSHA, Anambra – The founder of the Valentine Chineto Ozigbo (VCO) Foundation Mr Valentine Ozigbo has volunteered to mentor 10 entrepreneurs who benefited at Onitsha 2021 unusual praise programme.
Unusual Praise is an annual Africa’s largest Catholic gospel event, a musical showpiece being organised by the Catholic Church of Divine Mercy, Lekki. This is the first time it was held in Anambra state at the Cathedral Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha since it was launched in 2011.
Ozigbo who is one of the major sponsors of the annual musical showpiece said the mentorship that comes with the cash grant is key to progress in business and that he is offering himself .
“I am offering myself to be one of your mentors. I will also be providing mentorship to the winners of Unusual Entrepreneur. In business, counsel, advice, and mentorship are more valuable than money. For someone who is running a budding business, I will provide guidelines to help their businesses grow, and if it is an industry I am not familiar with, I will get the right people to give them the mentorship they need” he said
According to Ozigbo who was the Peoples Democratic Party PDP candidate for the Anambra 2021 governorship election, it is important to stay focused and listen to advise to mentors in order to grow in life.
Valentine Ozigbo who is one the primary sponsor through his non-profit organisations, Valentine Chineto Ozigbo (VCO) Foundation expressed excitement at having Unusual Praise in his home state.
During the event , 10 entrepreneurs were given N300,000 each and Ozigbo, who was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Ojiugo Ozigbo presented an additional cash grant of N1 million to the ten recipients of this year’s Unusual Entrepreneur, a youth business development initiative aimed at empowering budding business owners.
According to him, the Unusual Praise is an avenue for people to praise God in an uncommon manner, noting that objectives was propagation of the gospel of Christ.
“For those of us who are usually busy, Unusual Praise presents an opportunity for us to devote an evening to thank God for all he has done for us and prepare for the coming year.
“It is also an avenue for us to identify those who need help in their businesses and empower them. In 2018 when I chaired this event, we had the privilege of setting up the Unusual Entrepreneur platform, and I am incredibly pleased to be present as it is being held in my home state, Anambra.
“The essence of this is for you to be empowered and make an impact using your chosen business. Significantly, this empowerment is coming from the church because it is crucial to combine hard work and faith to achieve powerful results.
Ozigbo however explained that his sponsorship of Unusual Praise had no political undertone as he has been a part of the programme for several years before his incursion into politics.
“Unusual Praise is a major spiritual event that has nothing to do with politics. In 2018, I was privileged to be the Chairman of Unusual Praise, and I set up another project called Unusual Entrepreneur for us to empower those who are not so well to do,.
“It is a thing of joy to see that people can come to church to receive spiritual edification, but also get economic upliftment.
“Since 2018, I have been part and parcel of Unusual Praise, and I will continue to contribute my quota to ensure that we continue this uplifting tradition of praise, thanksgiving, and rededication to God” he said
According to him, organisers tried to bring Unusual Praise to Anambra last year, but COVID 19 stopped it.
“I am a proud sponsor of Unusual Praise, and I will always be a part of this biggest Catholic gospel event in Africa where children of God can come and uplift their souls. We are also here to pray for our leaders and those in authority. We need peace and visionary leadership where nobody is marginalised,” Ozigbo added.
Also speaking at the event, the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, His Grace, The Most Rev Valerian Okeke, commended the organisers, musicians and congregants for coming together to worship God.
“I thank you all for making this night of worship, praise, and thanksgiving possible. Thanksgiving is the best form of prayer. The more you give thanks, the more blessings you receive. “My prayer is that God will bless you, and may you surmount every impossibility in your lives,” Okeke prayed.
The epoch-making event witnessed powerful ministrations by top gospel artistes from around the country, including Joe Praise, Chioma Jesus, Steve Crown, Chinyere Udoma, Osinachi Nwachukwu, Prince Gozie Okeke, Avoma Kids, Olamide Baritone, Evang James Arum, Sir Jude Nnam, Nkiru Emmanuel, and many others who took turns to minister to the large crowd.
Several dignitaries attended the event, including the immediate past Governor of Anambra State and Vice Presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2019 general election, His Excellency Peter Obi.
