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.
