Umuchinemere Procredit
Microfinance Bank Nigeria Limited

It was glamour and songs of praise to God as some Parishes of the Roman Catholic Church in Enugu, Enugu State, capital, celebrated Holy Mass for veteran journalist, Sir Abuchi Anueyiagu, KSJI, for advancing to the golden age of 50. Anueyiagu, who has put in over 25 years in journalism profession, actually clocked 50 on Friday, May 6, 2011.

In his goodwill message to the celebrant, the Parish Priest of St. Leo The Great Parish, Federal Housing Estate, Abakpa Nike, Enugu, and Director of Catholic Institute for Development Justice, Peace and Caritas (CIDJAP), Enugu, as well as chairman of Umuchinemere Pro-credit Microfinance Bank, Rev. Prof. Obiora Ike, lauded Anueyiagu for utilizing the potential in him in the service of God and humanity.

Monsignor Ike, who is also chairman of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu established Umuchinemere Microfinance Bank, told Anyeiagu that "God has given you the gift of life and you have used it so well. Your services to the Church and society are highly acknowledged. 50 hearty and golden cheers to you on your birthday".

Mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Dr. Aguigwo at Sacred Heart Uwani, Enugu; by Rev. Fr. Dr. Bede Ukwuje at the Spiritan Insternational School of Theology (SIST), Attakwa Enugu, by Rev. Fr. Chinedu Nwadike in Abuja, by Rev. Fr. Dr. Thaddeau Ihebinike at St. Michael's Parish, Eziama-Obaire, Imo State and by Rev. Fr. Evans Offor at Okpatu.

Abuchi, currently handling the Public/Media Relations matters of the Umuchinemere Pro-credit Microfinance Bank began his journalism career at Radio Nigeria, Enugu, and later worked for such notable print media as Satellite newspaper; Complete Communications: publisher of Complete Football, Sports Souvenir and Climax magazines; Vanguard newspaper; The Nation; This Day; The Guardian; Come;, National Interest; and Daily Times.

Anueyiagu, born in Onitsha, hails from Eziama-Obaire, Nkwerre Local Government Area, Imo State. He is a member of the Order of Knights of Saint John International (KSJI) and holds the position of a District Adjutant in the Order. He was a two-time chairman of the Sport Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Enugu State chapter, as well as a former chairman of the Correspondents' Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Enugu State Council.

Anueyiagu's regret is that having been born seven months after Nigeria's independence; very many people of his age still live below poverty level and could not afford the basic necessities of life like shelter, food, good education (tertiary education), even when their country is richly endowed with human and natural resources - a trend he blamed on corruption, and greed among leaders.