Easter Message: Bishop Ezeokafor Says All Hope Not Lost As He Feeds Nigeriens, Over 500 Less-Priviledged, Widows, Orphans, Destitute Across All Religious Denominations
By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
As Christians the world over commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ otherwise referred to as Easter, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship, Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, on Saturday, 30th March 2024, distributed several items valued over ₦10 million to less privileged individuals including destitute from Niger Republic, Moslems, traditionalists as well as Christians from different Denominations.
The beneficiaries, numbering over 500, came from all parts of the world.
These include Nigeriens living in Anambra and Enugu States, those from north, West and South South Zones of Nigeria, Moslems, African traditionalists, Catholics and other Christians from other denominations.
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.
According to the charismatic and influential Prelate, the gesture was a routine activities of the Churches within the Diocese, which is observed every month, though, the Easter occasion was specially aimed at celebrating Easter with them.
He expressed sadness at rising costs of commodities in the market which, according to him, had inflicted more pains on the populace, and enjoined wealthy individuals to remember the less privileged especially those in their midst this Easter festival.
The Compassionate Cleric, however, charged the needy to remain hopeful and not allow the current situation in the country cause them to derail from their faith, as according to him, things would surely improve at God’s appointed time.
“Easter is the period we reflect on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ who is hope of every believer. We know that the challenges confronting everyone in the country was 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 also celebrate Easter”, he admonished.
Also speaking, the Director, Justice Development Caritas (JDPC), Rev. Fr. Levi Ndubuisi Ukor, thanked the Bishop for sustaining the programme for years now since he became the Bishop of the Diocese, thereby promoting love and humanity the church was known for.
”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 prayed God to bless and sustain him to impact more lives positively.
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