…Preaches Hope
As Christians all over the world recently commemorated the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ otherwise referred to as Easter, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship, Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, on Saturday, 30 March 2024, distributed several goods valued at about ₦10 million to some less privileged individuals in society including the destitutes from Niger Republic, Moslems, traditionalists, as well Christians from different denominations, report Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu, Daruwana Daku and Ebube Edieh
The beneficiaries, numbering over 500, came from all parts of the world, including Nigeriens living within Anambra and Enugu States; those from Northern, Western and South-South parts of Nigeria; Moslems; African traditionalists, Catholic and Christians from other denominations of Christendom.
The items presented to them by the Local Ordinary were clothing, handbags, 300 tubers of yam, 100 bags of rice, 200 coconuts, 10 50k bags of garri, food flasks, transport fares, among others.
The beneficiaries, comprising elderly men and women, as well as children, including Muslims and non-Igbo residents in the state, received food items which included bags of rice, garri, tubers of yam clothing materials, among others.
Speaking during the distribution, the Prelate said the gesture which had become an annual event, was targeted at alleviating the prevailing economic hardship in the country in the spirit of the season.
His words, ‘Today is Holy Saturday preceding Easter Sunday which reminds us of the resurrection of Jesus which is the hope of every believer.
‘As we celebrate, we should also realize that there are those facing difficulties of life which have been multiplied by the harsh economy.
‘Even the rich among us are also affected. If the rich are crying, I wonder what the poor can do. We know we don’t have enough for the crowd, but we want them to appreciate the little we give them.
‘We pray God to touch the heart of our leaders and other spirited individuals to extend a similar gesture to reduce the sufferings of the poor and downtrodden.’
According to the charismatic and influential Prelate, the gesture, was a routine activity of the Church within the diocese observed every month but that of Easter was specially dedicated towards making all celebrate Easter with them.
He said he was pained over the hike in prices of commodities in the market, which, according to him, had inflicted more pains on the populace. He enjoined wealthy individuals to remember the less privileged among them in the period of Easter Celebration.
The compassionate cleric however, charged the poor to remain hopeful and never deviate from their faith as a result of the poverty in the land assuring them that things would surely improve at God’s appointed time.
‘Easter is the period we reflect over the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ who is the hope of every believer. We know that the challenges confronting everyone in the country were multiplied by the current economic situation. Poverty in the land has increased. Prices of things skyrocketed, yet the salary earners did not receive salary increase.
‘We pray that our leaders will listen and urgently do something to address the ugly situation. We must persevere. We must not allow it to make us deviate from the reason for the season. We must hold unto God because he is in control and will surely alleviate our sufferings. I call on the rich and well to do members of society to assist people of this nature to celebrate Easter too,’ he appealed.
Also speaking, the Director, Justice Development Caritas (JDPC), Rev. Fr. Levi Ndubuisi Ukor, thanked the Bishop for sustaining the programme for years since he became the Bishop of the Diocese, thereby promoting love and humanity the Church was known for.
‘The Bishop mandated that every Easter eve, we should gather the less privileged from every walks of life and celebrate Easter with them. Some are Catholics, some are even Muslims.
‘This event has been since the inception of the Bishop. From my observation, I discovered that it’s only our diocese that’s doing this. Our prayers are that God will bless him and grant him a long life.
‘Among the items we’ll be distributing are 100 bags of rice, over 200 tubers of yam, bags of garri, coconuts, clothing materials and food flasks, as well as cash for their transportation.
‘We are grateful to our dear Bishop. Bishop Ezeokafor is indescribable. We are so happy for him. He does it every month and every Easter, especially on Holy Saturday. He is the one sponsoring us. We are deriving our powers from him. He gives out money for us to purchase all items, as well as share the ones brought by philanthropists.’
Some of the beneficiaries, Mrs Amina Ibrahim from Niger Republic, Hauwa Musa from Niger State and Mrs Bridget Nwachukwu of Awka Town, praised the bishop for the kind gesture and asked God to bless and sustain him to impact more lives positively.
