CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP HANDS OVER SKILLS ACQUISITION CENTER TO ONITSHA PRISON AT 65TH BIRTHDAY

By Mokwugwo Solomon

The Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha and Metropolitan of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Valerian Maduka Okeke, Saturday, October 20, donated a completed skills acquisition centre to the Onitsha Prisons as part of activities to commemorate his 65th birthday.

The center, which, according to the prelate, was completed at the cost of N39 million, was part of his efforts to ensure that inmates of the prison are equipped with relevant skills that would help them to add value to the wider society upon completion of their prison terms.

While handing over keys of the skills center to the Controller of Prisons in Anambra State, Barr. Emma Nwakeze, Archbishop Okeke admonished the prison authorities to run the center with the spirit and motive it was established; which is to ensure that those who serve jail terms do not become liabilities to the society upon completion of their terms.

While receiving the keys to the center from the Archbishop, the Controller of Prisons in Anambra State, Barr. Emma Nwakeze, commended the Archbishop for his exceptional concern and care for prisoners. He said Onitsha Prisons has become one of the best in the country, courtesy of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha under Archbishop Okeke. He said that the Archbishop has done a lot to raise the standard of living of inmates of Onitsha Prisons; adding that the prelate has shown an example which other affluent citizens should strive to copy.

In his remarks during the ceremony, the governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, represented by his deputy, Dr. Nkem Nkem, hailed the Archbishop for his ecclesiastical prowess, and exceptional love for humanity; adding that the prelate is exceptional the way he leads his Christian life.

Former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, who also graced the occasion, said the Archbishop’s option to celebrate his birthdays with prison inmates is enough to show not only that he is humane but also Godly.

Obi, who is the PDP Vice Presidential candidate for the 2019 general elections also promised that he would be part and parcel of the Archbishop’s effects to enthrone egalitarian society.

Earlier in his homily during a Eucharistic celebration to kick- start the birthday celebration held at the premises of the Onitsha Prisons, Archbishop Okeke called on the political leadership as well as the entire citizenry to strive for excellence; stating that the problems that have taken over the Nigerian society is as a result of failure of political leadership and the citizenry to lead by example.

In his vote of thanks, the Chaplain of …. Rev. Fr. Bartholomew Okpalaugo, thanked the Archbishop for his magnanimity to the prison inmates, which, according to him, has brought succour to the inmates as well as transformation of the prison itself.

Supreme Court Has Caused Confusion In Imo — Archbishop Obinna

Highpoints of the ceremony were handing over of a brand new bus to the prison by the Archbishop; as well as handing over of gift items to outstanding inmate footballers, who distinguished themselves during a just concluded football competition among the inmates.

PICTURES: 1. Skills Acquisition Center built and donated to Onitsha Prisons by Archbishop Valerian Okeke.

2. Archbishop Okeke with Obi, Nkem Okeke and the prison authorities during the handover of the center to Onitsha Prisons.

3.Archbishop Okeke with Nkem Okeke, Peter Obi, priests, the religious and traditional rulers cutting the Archbishop’s 65th birthday cake.