For some of us, charity did not begin at home. We are, however, unanimous in agreeing that this time charity should be extended to home. A body known as the “Catholic Faithful of Okigwe Diocese Resident in Rivers State” was therefore formed and I was appointed the Chairman, in the interim, along with some other officers. As a way forward, we invited our home Bishop to come and visit his flock abroad in Rivers State. Rivers State encompasses two dioceses, namely, Port Harcourt and Aba Dioceses. We obtained the necessary clearances of the respective Local Ordinaries to enable full participation of our people everywhere in Rivers State.

The plan for the visit of our Bishop included feting him in a Dinner in the evening of the day of arrival being Friday, 23^rd March, Holy Mass and Public Reception the next day, Saturday 24^th March, both events holding in Port Harcourt. The essence of the whole events is for us to come together with our friends and well-wishers to raise some support for our Bishop to continue work on the ongoing project at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Okigwe. The  project needs the contributions of good-spirited people of God as are gathered here, each as the Spirit of God moves him/her. We have involved our sons and daughters and our Town Unions and Associations in River State. We have invited our friends and well-wishers to these events. We count on the grace of God to conclude it successfully. The events will be occasions of blessings as you share with us.

Putting these events together has not been easy. Most of our people here are busy with their employments or businesses and as such were not easily available to participate in the preparations. I wish to use this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to those that worked with me. I have a lot to say but I don’t want to bore you. Our job continues until the day we shall invite you to the opening ceremonies of the completed Cathedral.

From the bottom of my heart, and on behalf of the Catholic Faithful of Okigwe Diocese Resident in Rivers State, I gratefully welcome our Special Guest, His Excellency, Rt. Rev. Dr. Solomon Amatu, Catholic Bishop of Okigwe Diocese, our Guests of Honour and all our other guests to these events. Please relax and enjoy our various items of entertainment, nourishment and action points. We have a richly endowed brochure which tells our story more. Please endeavour to get a copy.