Founding members and leaders
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On June 1991, the Executive of the Blue Army, Onitsha Archdiocese met to discuss the possibility of preaching the message of Fatima over the Radio and Television in Anambra State and beyond. Our second meeting was at the residence of Very Rev. Fr. Augustine Ndukaji, the Parish Priest of St. Augustine Catholic Church, Umuoba Anam. Fr. Ndukaji who was the Chaplain of the Blue Army, was highly impressed with the idea. Next, we went to Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS at GRA), Onitsha to find out the financial involvement. Both Radio and Television would cost N74,000.00 per annum.
This amount at that time was too much for us. Then we convened a general meeting of the Archdiocesan Blue Army at Our Lady of Fatima Parish Woliwo with our Chaplain in attendance. The main focus was how to raise N74,000.00. A committee was set up to plan the launching of the programme. The Committee first selected a name for the programme, viz: THE MARIAN RADIO TELEVISION COUNCIL. Next, the committee set a date for the launch in September 1991.
We called for Novena Prayer from all the centres of the Blue Army. We wrote invitation letters to almost all the parishes in Onitsha Archdiocese (which then included Nnewi). We invited all the distinguished personalities we could reach. With the help of the Chaplain, we approached the then Archbishop, Most Rev. Dr. S.N. Ezeanya (Late) who gave his blessing to the programme launching and agreed to celebrate the Mass for us at the Basilica Square.
At 7:00 am on the launching day, all members of the Archdiocesan Blue Army numbering over two thousand had gathered at the field. With a giant statue of Our Lady, the event started with Rosary procession. A very big banner which read: ”
LAUNCHING OF THE MARIAN RADIO TELEVISION PROGRAMME” was posted at a strategic point in the field. Before 9:30 am the field was filled to capacity. At exactly 10:00am a colourful procession of Priests and the Archcvfbishop, Most Rev. Dr. S.N. Ezeanya and Bishop Emmanuel Otteh, entered the Arena. The Cathedral choir covered the Mass. It was graceful! It was wonderful. All the big names in Onitsha were in attendance. During his sermon, the Archbishop highlighted the importance of this programme and gave kudos to the proponents. He charged the faithful to give their maximum support to the programme and exhorted them to keep the programme perpetually alive with financial support and prayers. Then after the Mass, the launcher called all the distinguished personalities The high table. During our welcome address, we regretted our inability to name the chief launcher. At once Late Mr. Bernard Madubuko of Uko Industries volunteered to be the Chief launcher. And he raised the curtain with a staggering donation of N50,000.00. The deafening ovation that followed this donation lasted for a while. Then Msgr. Obiukwu, Sacred Heart, Odoakpu, Onitsha donated N22,000.00 and also sponsored one month’s programme annually. Msgr. VJ Mmadike of St. Jude’s Parish, Fegge, Onitsha donated N10,000.00 plus ten uniforms for M.R.T.C Choristers. Immaculate Heart Parish Fegge. Ouitsha donated N10,000. There were many other cheerful donors, parishes, individuals and Pius societies. It was a successful launch indeed. We realized a cash donation of N 105,000. Not long after the launching we went to A.B.S stations and paid N74,000. This was for both Radio and Television, For the Radio, it was on Sundays by 2 pm broadcast while for the Television, it was every Friday by 8:30 pm. Now that payment had been made to A.B.S fast actions followed up. The executive of the Blue Army met to select the members of the council and its leaders.
Who would be the Chairman of this Council? He must be a prominent figure, a respected personality that would be listened to. We selected Very Rev. Msgr. Hypolite Adigwe. He was Rector of All Hallows Seminary and a personality to be reckoned with. If he convenes a meeting, he will be listened to. So we approached him at All Hallows and spread our plans before him. He gave his blessing after consultation of Archbishop and accepted to lead us. By his acceptance, we have made tremendous progress. So the first meeting was arranged. We selected members of the council from different parishes and congregations
PERSONALITIES VIZ: CONSEQUENTLY, WE SELECTED THE FOLLOWING
1. Very Rev Msgr. Hypolite Adigwe – All Hallows Seminary, Onitsha Chairman
2. Rev Fr. M.C. Udegbunam Justice M.A. Onyiuke-(Late)
4. Very Rev Fr. Augustine Ndukaji – Chaplain Blue Array
5. RC. Orazulume-President Blue Army – Vice Chairman
6. James Igwe-Treasurer Blue Army
7. Boniface Nwora-Secretary Blue Army-(Late)
8. Chief G. Onwugbunu (lju Nnewi)
9. Very Rev. Fr. Hillary Anisiobi – St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Unubi
10. Rev. Sr. Vianny Okereke
11. Rev. Sr. M Cyril Enukora
12. Rev. Sr. Justina M. Okojo
13. Mr. B.E. Mmadubuko-(Late)
14. Rev. Fr. Benjamin Ude
15. Rev. Fr. G. Akanigwo (Late)
16. Mr. H. Ufele
17. Mr. E. Onwuka
18. Mr. P.M Ughanze-(Late)
19. Chief. E.O. Ezike-(Late)
20. Mrs. P. Uba
21. Mr. Okoye-Fatima
22. Barrister A.E.N.D. Okechukwu
23. Rev. Fr. Charles Muorah
24. Mr. George Okpalaeze of A.B.S
25. Francis M.K Onyekadi from Warri
We invited all the above members to our inaugural meeting which was held at All Hallows Seminary, Onitsha on the 30th November, 1991. The meeting was very successful. During this meeting we resolved to invite all the Marian Societies to participate in the programme. Now, the Chairman Msgr. Adigwe arranged for the first programme. He invited His Eminence Francis Cardinal Arinze as the Guest Speaker. The House was full at All Hallows. It was wonderful; Okongwu (An Anglican) was the Head of the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) crew. The setting was awe-inspiring. The joy, the love; the congratulatory messages that greeted these first broadcasts on the Radio and the appearance on the Television can hardly be experienced again. Rev. Fr. Hilary Anisiobi composed a NOVENA prayer to St. Joseph for the council to be sustained through the patronage of St. Joseph. As time went on the cost of maintaining the programme rose so high that we had to drop the Radio aspect of the programme. As of now, what we pay annually to Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) to keep the TV programme on Is N1,600,000. It is the Council’s responsibility to source money to keep the programme going. We now have various committees in the council to facilitate our operations viz, the Almanac committee, the finance committee and the programme committee. Parishes and individuals usually sponsor our programmes. And we use this medium to thank such parishes and individuals.
As we are now celebrating our silver jubilee, we have every cause to be grateful to God who has been sustaining us miraculously. We also thank the A.B.S personnels, who have been serving us all these years. We have special commendation to our able and constant Guest speakers. The gratitude we owe the members of this council for their persistence is immeasurable. May God bless and reward all of you. We remember and pray for our dead members Miss Rita Amah and Dennis llo. May their souls rest in peace.
We must not fail to thank our numerous viewers, especially those who ask us questions. May God shower His choicest blessings on all of you.
Thank you.
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Founding members and leaders
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Growth of youth and family ministries
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Vision for the future and strategic goals
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