Choir Day/award Ceremony of Cathedral Church of St. Peter Asaba

16th October, 2011 will forever remain memorable in the history of Cathedral Church of St. Peter Asaba Nigeria. It was the first Choir Day and Award Ceremony of the Choir of the Church. The Cathedral Church of St. Peter has been adjudged the best Choir in Nigeria by many who had seen other Choirs in different parts of Nigeria. Their rise to stardom did not just come like that. People for some time now have been supporting them in various ways and the Choir deemed it right to remember them hence the organization of the Choir Day/Award Ceremony.

According to the organizers of the programme, it was aim at appreciating the support they have enjoyed from these men and women that were honour. The roll call of Awardees were; Most Rev. Nicholas Dikeriehi Okoh, present Primate, Archbishop and Metropolitan of Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion and former dean of the Cathedral/Bishop of Asaba, Ezinne Lady Mary Udokaso Omo, a retired Midwife, Sir Israel Okwudarue, a reputable Structural and Civil Engineer who designed the Cathedral Church of St. Peter and Sir Simeon Ukpedor, a retired permanent Secretary in Delta State Government, an organist of the Church. Others were Ezinne Nkem Okwuofu, a midwife and politician, currently the Chairman Delta State Local Government Commission, Sir Mike Okechukwu of Inter Bau Construction Company Nigeria, Sir Humphrey Nwafor PhD, a renowned music composer, teacher, singer and Doctor of Music who has over 200 songs to his credit, Mr. Samuel U. Akpu, the former Choirmaster in old All Saints Cathedral Church, Asaba, Mr. Gideon Ngozi Bakwunye and Mr. Omujale O. Okujeni.

There were other Awards that went to Miss Blessing Kwuluje who emerged as the best Chorister of the Year, Mrs. Blessing Onweani who was adjudged the most consistent Chorister and Miss Akpe for her dedication to choir despite living over 12km from the Church.

All the Awardees were physically present to receive their award with the exception of Most Rev. N. D. Okoh, who was represented by the lord Bishop of Asaba Diocese, Rt. Rev Justus Emeka Mogekwu.

The Award Ceremony featured in a normal church service had solo performances from Sister Adaeze Ibeh, Blessings Kwuluje and Ogochukwu Justus. Two anthems were sung in Igbo Vernacular and one in Hausa language. During the singing of the Hausa anthem (Sai Kuzo), the Bishop of Asaba who represented the Primate at the occasion and had live many years Kaduna State in the Northern part of Nigeria danced to the rhythm of the music in Hausa style which attracted a resounding ovation. The choir also presented two classical anthems in English that day.

It was a colourful occasion that attracted family members and friends of the Awardees. The Preacher of the day was Rev. Emmanuel Ojone Amaje, one of the Cathedral Priests and the Bishop’s Chaplain. He highlighted the power of Praise and called on the worshipers to always praise God for his numerous blessings of God upon their lives.