From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, has admonished Nigerians to live a life of love and hatred for evil so as to enjoy all the bountiful blessings God has bestowed on humanity.
Delivering a homily titled: “Divine Restoration,” yesterday, while celebrating Christmas with inmates of Onitsha Correctional Centre, Archbishop Okeke said Jesus Christ whose birth is the essence of Christmas brought light into the world and dispelled the darkness of sin and evil. He said the light Christ brought is manifested through love and that wherever that light of love exists, darkness disappears.
He noted that if humanity and Nigerians live the life of love, evil acts like kidnapping, killings, corruption and all other vices would disappear in the society
“We claim to know God but still make our society ungovernable, fearful and insecure. People take delight in committing crime and they still answer children of God. The coming of the messiah through the birth of Jesus Christ made all of us sons of God. The light that Christ brought which cannot be suppressed is the light of love. When we live that life of love, God will restore all our lost fortunes,” he stated.
The Archbishop also presented various gift items to the inmates, including bags of rice and cooked food items, live cow, toiletries, and Christmas cake among others.
Chaplain of the Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Chaplaincy in the Correctional Centre, Rev. Fr. Nnamdi Okpalaugo, and the Controller of Corrections, Anambra State Command, Joseph Osifo, lauded the Archbishop for his continuous care for the welfare of the inmates in the areas of education, sports facilities, spiritual reformation and skills acquisition centre. They noted that the award of the Grand Patron of Nigerian Correctional Centre given to the Archbishop last year remained the first of its kind in the history of the Correctional Centre in Nigeria because of the unusual apostolate of the Archbishop to the inmates.
Former Governor and Presidential Candidate of Labour Party during the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, who also praised the Archbishop’s gesture, equally donated cash gifts, bags of rice and drinks to the inmates. He called for prayers for Nigeria noting that the immediate task required in the country at present is for all leaders in positions of authority to think first about the welfare of the citizens above personal needs.
Chairman of the United Nigeria Airline, Chief Obiora Okonkwo, also accompanied the Archbishop on the visit and also donated food items to the inmates.