Archbishop Okeke, Obi donates Rice, Cow, money to Inmates of Onitsha Correctional Center
Chidi Yadiba, Onitsha.
There was a jubilation galore at Onitsha Correctional Center on stmas day as inmates of the facility smiled to their cells with N500 each courtesy of the former Presidential Candidate of the the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, who accompanied the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev.Dr.Valerian Okeke to the facility.
The visit was in line with the Archbishop’s tradition of visiting Onitsha Correctional Center on Christmas day since he assumed the Bishopric.
Most Rev. Okeke, who personally transformed Onitsha Correctional Center using the Catholic Church as a platform a few years ago, initiated and completed an ultra-modern skills acquisition center where inmates are trained on various skills to become useful citizens to themselves, their families and the society at large among other development initiatives.
The Archbishop also renovated the entire cells with tiles and modern toilet facilities as the Federal Government continued to renege on the welfare of Correctional inmates and citizens nationwide.
The cleric who was 2023 recognized and awarded “Grand Patron” of Nigerian Correctional Center nationwide, the first and only Nigerian to have received the award due to his genuine efforts to transform the lives of inmates in Onitsha facility by the authorities of the center at Abuja regard the Archbishop as an exceptional friend to inmates.
Earlier in a church service to mark the Christmas celebration, Most Rev. Dr. Okeke preached on divine restoration, adding that with faith all the lost glories of people who believe in God’s ability would be restored.
He, however, lamented that kidnapping, ritual killings, and all forms of insecurity had shattered the hopes of the people returning home for the celebration.
Anambra State Controller, Nigeria Correctional Center, Awka, Mr. Joseph Osifo, revealed that Anambra State was no longer under Benin Zone but now in Zone M disclosed that as a friend of the facility, the headquarters was aware that the Archbishop was on his Christmas habitual visit to the center.
He commended Most Rev. Okeke for his visit, love, and generosity to the inmates and workers of the facility.
The former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi who was present at the facility also donated bags of rice and cash to be shared among the inmates for their immediate personal needs in an interview with the press regretted the type of leaders we have in Nigeria, adding that Nigeria was a good country with bad leadership.
He insisted that citizens should not pray for Nigeria as the country was good, but should pray for God to touch the hearts of the country’s leaders to use the wealth of the country for the common good of citizens.
The live cow donated by the Archbishop is expected to be slaughtered for the New Year celebration as coolers of cooked rice flooded the entrance of the Catholic Chapel in the yard alongside other donated items.
