By Sunny A. Ijomah
The Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev Valerian Okeke, has celebrated his birthday with the inmates of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Onitsha .
During a homily to mark the yearly event at St Maximillian Chaplaincy, Onitsha Centre, Archbishop Okeke charged christians to be steward of God’s grace, reminding them of the need to spread happiness especially to the needy and noted that serving others with love brings peace.
The Archbishop further explained that a good leader cares for his subjects and should always be a condit of God’s power, who persevere in prayers to win the battle always.
Archbishop Okeke also urged christians to be good teachers in season and out of season so that God will answer their prayers.
He commiserated with the victims of Onitsha fire disaster and promised that the Diocese will help the State government to put smiles back on their faces.
The wife of the State Governor, Dr. Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano represented by the Commissioner of Basic Education, Professor Kate Omenugha and other government officials at State and Fedarel levels were on ground to celebrate with the Archbishop.
Speaking after the Mass, Controller General of Correctional Service, Alhaji Ja’ afaru Ahmed represented by Lady Clementine Okereke, Assistant Controler General Incharge of Zone G Benin commended Archbishop Okeke for his humanitarian services towards the spiritual and physical reformation of the inmates.
He thanked him especially for building skill acquisition center for the inmates.
The Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige promised to assist, through the federal government in equiping the center.
The event featured presentation of gifts to some inmates for their outstanding performance in the Archbishop Valerian Okeke footbal competition sponsored by Maria Consolata Society under the watch of Rev. Fr. Richard Mary Umeike, presentation of gift items, including tubers of yams, bags of rice, toilet tissues, cartons of bar soaps and coolers of cooked rice amongst other things by the Governor’s wife. Matresses were also presented by Honourable Ibuzo, a House Member in the State.
