From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha

In keeping with his age-long tradition, the Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev Valerian Maduka Okeke, marked this year’s Easter celebration with the inmates of Onitsha Correctional Centre.

Accompanied by the Chancellor of the Archdiocese, Rev Fr Prudentius Aroh, the Vice Chancellor, Rev Fr Basil Ekwunife, Archdiocesan Director of Social Communications/Secretary to the Archbishop on Public Affairs, Rev Fr George Adimike and a retinue of other priests and religious, it was another exciting moment for the inmates who wished the celebration never ends.

Archbishop Okeke as usual in such visitations showered many gift items on the inmates. There was a large cake shared with the inmates, food items, toiletries, live cows, and various provisions among others.

Delivering a homily during the Holy Eucharistic celebration, Archbishop Okeke while reflecting on the bible reading for the day urged the inmates to strive for the heavenly things since they have been brought back to life by Christ who rose from the dead.

He said through Christ’s death and resurrection, death has been defeated by those who believe in Him. He gave an example with Mary Magdalene whom she described as having a dislocated life but got transformed immediately after she encountered Christ to the extent that Christ manifested himself to her first when He resurrected.

“When we are told to do think of the heavenly, it means that we should do away with rancour, strife and sin. When you seek for the good of others, your own good shall come to you but those who are selfish cannot go far. When you aspire for the noble things like truth, love, peace, joy etc, there won’t be any obstacle in your life,” he said.

Former Governor of Anambra State and the Presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 general election in Nigeria, Mr Peter Obi in a remark described the great works which Archbishop Okeke has been doing in the Onitsha Correctional Centre as the “best part of evangelism for humanity.”

Obi urged the inmates not to see their conditions as the worst case, saying that due to the situation in Nigeria, everybody is in prison no matter the person’s level, even as he urged citizens to pray for politicians so that they should utilize public fund for public good.

Obi who also made monetary donations to the correctional centre including some bags of rice promised continuous support to the Archbishop’s Prison Apostolate

“As long as Nigeria remains the way it is today, we are all prisoners here. When you see some of us answer different titles of authority, it is by the grace of God and nothing more. We pray that God will bring you out of this place. We shall continue to be part of this family “he said.

The Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Somto Udeze also eulogized Archbishop Okeke for his magnanimous act towards the inmates noting that such a gesture inspires people like him to do more for humanity.

The Chaplain, St Maximilian Kolbe, Correctional Center, Onitsha, Rev Fr Bartholomew Okpalaugo also extolled the virtues in Archbishop Okeke which he said manifested in various interventions he had carried out in the Correctional Centre like the ultra-modern skill acquisition centre, water supply, educational support and other recreational activities.

Anambra State Controller of Corrections Mr Usifo Joseph, while stressing the transformation which Archbishop Okeke has brought into Onitsha Correctional Centre, disclosed that the Controller General of Corrections, Aliyu Nabbaba has approved the implementation of six different projects in the centre presently.

He promised to continue efforts geared towards ensuring the comfort of the inmates which he said has been taken as his pet project all inspired by the positive actions of the Archbishop to the centre.

Other dignitaries that accompanied the Archbishop during the visit included the Chairman of the Catholic Men Organisation, Onitsha Archdiocese and the Special Adviser to Governor Soludo on Parks and Markets, Chief Evarist Ubah, Member Anambra State House of Assembly representing Onitsha North 2 Constituency, Hon Pat Okafor, among others.

• Attributes political success to God and Peter Obi

From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha

Senator representing Anambra Central in the National Assembly, Victor Umeh has warned trouble makers causing division and strife in the party to desist in order to reposition the party for greater success in the next general election.

Umeh who spoke yesterday in his country home, Aguluzigbo during the thanksgiving mass to mark his successful political journey from APGA to Labour Party, emerging victorious during the election and legal battles to the Senate also maintained that Labour Party remains the political boat to use in their political journey.

He recalled all the battles fought and travails he went through when he was blocked from flying the Senatorial flag of APGA during the 2023 general elections despite having served as the party’s national chairman for 10 years.

He said that when all odds seemed to be against him in his political journey with his chances foreclosed in APGA, God intervened and made it possible that he reconciled with Mr Peter Obi whom he had been in political estranged relationship for 10 years.

He attributed the success recorded in his eventual journey to the Senate to the grace of God and the enormous goodwill of Mr Peter Obi whom he described as his brother.

He recalled how he was paid back in bad coin by the incumbent governor of Anambra State whom after he campaigned vigoriously for him, acted as collation officer for him in INEC and eventually delivered him as Governor. He said that he bears no grudges but has handed everything over to God.

“Labour party is the party we will use in our political journey. That party that Peter Obi is now the National Leader is our own. I know practically everything about party politics having been APGA National Chairman for 10 years. If this thing going on in Labour Party continues, I will draw my dagger and that party will be quiet. Nothing will happen that will destroy the party”

God works in mysterious ways. This victory was made possible through the immense goodwill of my brother Peter Obi. I started my political journey with him in 2001, fought all the battles with him, he triumphed, we triumphed too until the enemies of progress came in and separated us but after 10 years, God said, against the wishes of people and men, that two of us will come together again.

“When I was returned as the party flag bearer, I made a speech and it is on record that I said that above all things that God has done for me, none is greater than the reconciliation I’ve achieved with my brother Peter Obi. This is because my disagreement with him was uncalled for at the first instance. It was the handiwork of some people who put spanner in our wheel of progress.

“The incumbent governor of Anambra state presently, I was totally involved in his campaign, acted as his collation agent in INEC, delivered him as Governor before the ugly development happened. If what happened pleased God, I wouldn’t be here today but it did not please God . Ingratitude is a cardinal sin and it is important I said this so that you can know my stand. I’m not against anybody but in the house of God, what is not proper should be described as what it is. So I’m appealing to all of you to be focused because we need leadership that is combined with good work and empathy towards fellow human being in Anambra .I’ve made my point and I want to say My Lord that having unburdened my heart, I bear no grudges anymore. Whatever anyone did badly to me, I’ve forgiven. Whatever God says will be, will be and no human can stop that.

The thanksgiving mass was presided over by Cardinal Peter Okpaleke of Ekwulobia Diocese and con-celebrated by Archbishop Valerian Okeke of Onitsha Archdiocese and Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor of Awka Diocese.

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