Fides Media Living the Faith
By Abuchi Onwumelu
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha, His Grace Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, recently visited the Federal Correctional Centre, Onitsha, where he feted and celebrated a Eucharistic Mass for the inmates, staff and other faithful of the Correctional Centre.
In a homily, Archbishop Okeke urged the faithful to be carriers of peace and joy in their environment and prayed for Nigeria and Anambra State for God to make Nigeria a country where peace, rule of law and justice prevailed.
He urged the inmates to avail themselves of the opportunity of the skill acquisition centre provided for them by the Archdiocese of Onitsha in order to become useful citizens after serving their terms.
The Arch bishop gave special presents to the inmates, ranging from two live cows, cooked rice and delicacies, biscuits and toiletries; while the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, donated 50 bags of rice and one live cow, with another donated by Hon Edward Obiefuna Ibuzo, member representing Onitsha North II State Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly.
Former Gov of Anambra State, Sir Peter Obi, donated the sum of Five hundred thousand Naira for equipping the skill acquisition centre.
The chaplain of the Correctional Centre, Rev Fr Nnamdi Okpalaugo, expressed gratitude to the Archbishop for all his interventions at the Correctional Centre.
The Archbishop, with officials of the correctional centre; Chancellor of the Archdiocese, Rev Fr Emeka Aroh; priests; religious and dignitaries, inspected the new skill acquisition centre where equipment like computers, sewing machines and barbing implements were already in place for use by the trainee inmates.
According to them, the erection of the skill acquisition centre had cost the Archbishop over 50 million Naira.
The President General of Onitsha Archdiocesan Laity Council, Engr Leo Obiefuna, the Director General of the CWO, Dame Ngozi Nwanosike, and the President General of CMO, Archdiocese of Onitsha Sir Ifeanyi Nnajiaku, were present, as well as the President of CYON, Archdiocese of Onitsha