From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
Senator representing Anambra Central in the National Assembly, Victor Umeh has described the Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke as a good shepherded who takes utmost care of the flock entrusted in his hands and is always ever willing to ensure their welfare.
Senator Umeh who spoke yesterday at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity , Onitsha during the grand finale of Archbishop Okeke’s 70th birthday said the Archbishop is man whose honesty of purpose and sense of justice for all irrespective of background has been second to none.
He praised the Archbishop’s positive strides in his prison apostolate as well as other giant strides in education and empowering the less privileged in the society.
“He is not only the Archbishop of Onitsha but the Metropolitan of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province comprising all the dioceses in this province stretching from Anambra , Enugu and Ebonyi states.
“He is a very good shepherd and somebody who is a humanist. If you listen to the homily presented by Most Rev. Chukwu, Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, you will see what he said about Archbishop Valerian.
“He wants everybody to have a sense of belonging and anybody who strives to do this is someone who is fair to all. He will like to know how you are doing, to support you in the midst of your adversities. But one thing they missed out in the homily is his prison apostolate, someone who gathers people every year at the Onitsha Correctional Centre where he will celebrate his birthdays, Easter and Christmas too.
“We were there on 20th October 2023 with him and we saw all he has done for the inmates including the multimillion naira skill acquisition centre. His Grace is a wonderful servant of God and we are happy to associate with him.
“I have a very lasting and enduring relationship with him ever since because i could see his honesty of purpose, sense of justice and one who doesn’t want anyone to be oppressed. He is an exemplary Pastor and his turning 70, he has fulfilled the biblical passage that our lives will be three scores and ten but other books of the bible said also that we shall live up to 120 years. His Grace is a wonderful person . We’ve learnt a lot from him and may God keep him for us” he prayed.