Follow Us on Google
From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke, has highlighted the need for a life of gratitude, noting that it attracts more blessings and paves the way for greater prosperity.
Speaking during the celebration of his 72nd birthday with inmates of Onitsha Correctional Centre on October 20, 2025, the archbishop noted that birthdays also present better opportunities for one to express gratitude to God for life and also to those who have touched one’s life positively in one way or the other: “Anniversaries are special occasions for gratitude, feeling of appreciation for something good or for something someone or God has done for you.
“Gratitude not expressed is not real though the mode of expressions may differ. The dumb cannot express gratitude by talking to you but he can make gestures. Those God has blessed can come for thanksgiving in the church, some can choose to visit orphanages or feed the hungry, while others may decide to pay school fees for the indigent children or repair leaking roofs in a dilapidated village school.
“If you want miracle in your life, give thanks. The attitude of gratitude leads to the beatitudes and just as the Holy Bible stated in 1 Thessalonians 5: 8; in everything, give thanks.”
For the Onitsha Correctional Centre, the archbishop who has adopted the facility as a major part of his pastoral mission by visiting them thrice every year called on public-spirited individuals, groups, and organisations to do more in assisting and improving the Correctional Centre in all facets.
Commissioning the new classrooms, he provided for the education of the inmates, the archbishop noted that he had already established an ultramodern skills acquisition centre among other basic facilities for the inmates, but emphasised the need for a stable solar power supply to enable effective use of the equipment.
He pointed out that though several interventions had been made to uplift the centre, more were still needed pointing out that the roof of some of the cells in the centre was provided during the colonial period hence deserved total overhaul with modern roofing materials.
Other News
Okeke underscored that the inmates could become useful members of the society after their period of reformation.
He stated that his visit to European prisons revealed that incarceration was not the end a person’s usefulness: “When I travelled to Europe, I visited some prisons in Italy, Germany and Belgium and discovered that many of the inmates were of Igbo origin. I noticed that after serving their terms, many became useful to themselves and their families.
“Some acquired education and skills while in prison. That is why I am appealing to the public to support our own correctional centre so that inmates can also be transformed and empowered.”
The Chaplain of St. Maximilian Kolbe Chaplaincy, Rev. Fr. Bartholomew Okpalaugo, praised Archbishop Okeke as a true shepherd and a blessing to the inmates. He disclosed that a football tournament was organised for the inmates in honour of the archbishop’s birthday and lauded his numerous contributions to their welfare.
The priest disclosed that the inmates eagerly await the Christmas, Easter Sunday and October 20th birthday of the archbishop because his visit on the stipulated dates always came with various goodies for their delight.
Mr. Anslem Ike said that as the 20th Controller of Prions in Anambra State, it was a privilege to meet the archbishop in person, having long heard of his impactful projects at the centre even before his eventual posting to the state. He thanked God for his life and wished him more years of good health.
Also, the chairman of the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Dr. Vera Nwadinobi, described Archbishop Okeke as a beacon of hope and a true shepherd, wishing him long life and continued divine favour.
The event was a somewhat campaign ground for Anambra politicians ahead the November 8 governorship election. Many dignitaries in attendance included the Young Progressives Party (YPP) governorship candidate, Paul Chukwuma, and his deputy, Uzu Okagbue, National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Sly Ezeokenwa; APC deputy governorship candidate, Iyom Uche Ekwunife; Labour Party’s flag bearer, Chief George Muoghalu; and former Chief of Staff to the State Government, Primus Odili, among others.
