For the Okereke family of Amuvi Village in Arochukwu, December 29, 2020 was a day of praise-worship and thanksgiving.
It was in fact a day the doyen of public relations profession in Nigeria, Mazi Mike Okereke rolled out the drums, amid strict observance of COVID-19 protocols, to celebrate his mother and matriarch of the family, Madam Grace Wilson Okereke, who turned 100 years.
Held at the prestigious Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, the event started at 2pm with praise-worship and thanksgiving to God for a rare gift of longevity and a sound mind.
From the entrance of the venue, guests were taken through prescribed COVID-19 safety routine, before being checked into the hall after due certification from the database of invitees.
Up at the hall, the ambience dignified a centenary bash of that nature, having been given a touch of royalty with dangling chandelier lamps.
And the music? From gospel songs to contemporary jazz (cascading from a live violin session), everything fell into ecclesiastical place, accentuating the organizational acumen of a person of Mike Okereke’s stature.
But the ever humble guru of Public Relations and Management Consultant, Mike Okereke, gave due credit to the celebrant’s grandchildren.
According to the family, Mama’s grandchildren “joined forces to put together a series of functions to mark this centennial celebration.”
They continued: “Our mother, grandmother, great grandmother Grace Wilson Solomon Okereke is a case study of God’s grace and miracle.”
As guests were singing and dancing, there came the celebrant regaled in a befitting apparel, and led in by a bevy of equally regaled ladies – some her grand daughters.
Her entry into the hall opened a fresh chapter of praise-worship and thanksgiving, followed by words of exhortation by a man of God.
The singing and dancing went on while meals and drinks were being served simultaneously to the delight of both guests and the host family.
Of course, there was the traditional cutting of cake and group photo session by family and friends.
In fact, it felt like the merry-making should not end.
Madam Grace Wilson Okereke was actually born on October 20, 1920, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The only surviving child of her parents, Madam Grace attended St. Cyprian’s School, Port Harcourt, and later Ovim Girls Secondary School.
She got married to Mazi Solomon Walton Okoro Okereke, a successful produce merchant of the Okereke Brothers fame.
She traveled across the country wherever her husband’s job took them. Like her husband, Madam Grace also has the gift of entrepreneurship, which she deployed to support her husband.
Record has it that she was a community leader in her own right. Her home remained the rallying point for Amuvi Village affairs.
A good singer and pianist, Madam Grace is to date, an avid reader – her favourite book being the Holy Bible.
So as she turned a remarkable 100 years on October 20, her grandchildren, led by Barr. (Mrs.) Uju Obuekwe and Mrs. Neto Owoghiri, thought it proper to put together a grand event to thank God in her honour.
It turned out an evening to remember.