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From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
The Association of Papal Knights and Medalists in Nigeria (APKMN) has mapped out plans to intensify their charity works towards decongesting the Correctional Centers across the country.
Speaking at the 17th National Conference APKMN themed “Hope, Faith and Charity in Contemporary Society” which held at the Madonna Renewal Centre Nkpor, Anambra State, during the weekend, National President of APKMN, Rt. Hon Sir Steve Adehi, a senior advocate, said that they have sought collaboration with the Knights of St Mulumba KSM to help raise funds for the programme of assisting inmates regain their freedom.
“We, the Papal Knights and Medalists in Nigeria in collaboration with the Knights of St Mulumba, have been working on giving hope to inmates by helping in decongesting the Correctional Centres across the country.
“We have a more organized structure in Lagos. The chapel built in the Correctional Centres in Lagos was built by the Knights of St Mulumba.
“Our programme is to see that for those who have fines to pay to regain their freedom, we put funds together to ensure that the fines are paid for them to move out of incarceration.
“Those inmates that require the services of a lawyer but could not afford one, the lawyers among the Knights can assist them because we have seen some statistics of inmates and discovered that many of them are on Awaiting trial languishing at Correctional Centers without trials.
He further urged Nigerian Leaders to sit up to their responsibilities as it concerns the security and welfare of the masses.
The trio of Provincial President, APKMN, Onitsha Province, RHC Peter Anazodo JP, Prof Nkemdili Nnonyelum, Igwe Pharm Alex Uzo Onyido Ezechuamuagha Ogidi in their separate speeches said that the conference would provide unique opportunity for participants to reflect on the virtues of faith, hope and charity which remained imperative in any society.
They were optimistic that the virtues would assist members explore ways to deepen their service to God and humanity.
“The deliberations and experience sharing will enrich us all and empower us to be better instruments of God’s love in our communities,” they said.
Presenting his Keynote address, the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha and Metropolitan of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke, tasked the Association of Papal Knights and Medalists in Nigeria to embrace the virtues of faith, hope and love, urging them to use them to shape the Nigerian Society.
The prelate said that three theological virtues are given by God and meant to be practiced always in order to transform an individual into a good person who has faith in God, hope made alive and is willing to sacrificially help humanity through unconditional love
Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Dr Paulinus Ezeokafor admonished the knights to embrace godly virtues and eschew evil, vices and idolatry.
According to him, belonging to secret society, wearing charms and amulets, consulting of oracle or sorcery is not part of Christian faith.
The Chaplain Onitsha Province APKMN, Rev. Fr. Boniface Okafor and the Chairman of the Occasion, RHC Ozoemena Onyali , a senior, advocate, encouraged the knights to keep on practicing the three theological virtues which were spoken of in the conference until it becomes part of them as that is the way they can use it for the good of humanity.
