By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha, His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, recently visited the Onitsha Correctional Centre to celebrate Easter with the prisoners.
In his homily, Archbishop Okeke said the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ was a great hope for eternity to the people of God, adding that Jesus Christ had defeated the power of death and resurrected as he promised his Apostles.
Arch Bishop Okeke urged the inmates to look for the things of heaven, so that the power of Resurrection could change their ways to live a decent life.
‘Seek the things of heaven and those things of heaven are those things Jesus Christ thought us. They are truth, love, peace and joy. When you start doing all these, the power of resurrection will change you,’ Archbishop Okeke said.
In his remarks, the Chaplain of St. Maximilian Kolbe, Correctional Centre, Onitsha, Rev. Fr. Bartholomew Okpalaugo, extolled Archbishop Okeke in a special way for his frequent visits to the prisoners, as well as all his transformation strides in the prison yard.
Also speaking, the Anambra State Commandant of Correctional Centre, Mr Joseph Usifo, affirmed that Archbishop Okeke had transformed the Correctional Centre, saying the prison management was equally receiving the positive impact of his prayers to them.
The Anambra State Correctional Centre boss also appreciated the visit of Mr. Peter Obi and called him the humble man of Nigeria, saying that God would take him somewhere, He pledged to make the Correctional Centre better like the way Archbishop Okeke was doing.
Items donated to the prisoners by Archbishop Okeke included toiletries, assorted laundry soap, assorted slippers, food items, live cow and one cow slaughtered, including five bags of rice donated by Obi.
Speaking, the former Governor of Anambra State lauded the Archbishop for his transformation strides in Onitsha Prison.
Appreciating Archbishop Okeke further, Mr Obi noted that what the Archbishop was performing in the Correctional Centre was enormous, saying that it was more than evangelism..
He urged the inmates not to see their condition as the worst case, saying that due to the situation of Nigeria, everybody was in prison, no matter the person’s level; even as he urged citizens to be praying for politicians, so that they should utilize public funds to work for them.
Similarly, Rt. Hon. Somto Udeze eulogized Archbishop Okeke for his magnanimous act towards inmates, saying that he was glad to be part of the Easter trip to the Correctional Centre.
Udeze noted that everybody was an inmate in the eyes of God, adding that even the inmates were better for the fact that they were under the canopy of Archbishop Okeke.
He further explained that God was aware of everyone’s condition, noting that there was still hope for Nigeria.
It will be recalled that Most Rev. Okeke’s visit to Correctional Centre is thrice a year during which he meets with the inmates, prays for them, blesses them and encourages them.
