The Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha Archdiocese, Most Rev. Dr. Valerian Okeke, has told the inmates of Onitsha Correctional Centre that God has a purpose for bringing them to their current situation.
Delivering his homily on Thursday at the Onitsha Correctional Centre during the celebration of his birthday, the Archbishop challenged the inmates and others to give thanks to God in any situation they found themselves.
He said: “Take a look at your life, you will see God’s blessings. God may have a purpose for bringing you here. Why has God blessed you? What has God not done for you?”
He said that various ways of showing gratitude to God includes forgiveness, helping others you are better than, stopping the evil you do among others.
Using David as a case study, the Archbishop said he did not kill King Saul when God delivered him in his hand, stating that it is a form of thanksgiving for all the protection granted him in spite of attempts by Saul to kill David.
“Forgive your enemies. Remember what God has done for you. Don’t lament over your situation. Don’t blame God or people. God’s blessing is on everybody. Count your blessings, name them one by one. It will surprise you what God has done,” said Archbishop Okeke.
He assured that the acquisition Centre he is building for the inmates would be ready this year.
The Controller of Corrections, Anambra State Command in his speech lauded Archbishop Okeke for his contribution to lift Correctional Centre not only in Onitsha but in the entire country.
He said the entire Correctional Centre in the country recognizes his contribution in lifting the lives of the inmates.
The Controller stressed the need for adequate care of the inmates to make them better people because they will still come back to the society.
He said if they were not taken care of they would turn around to pose problem to the society.
Present at the celebration was Most Rev. Hillary Odili Okeke, Retired Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Senator Victor Umeh and his wife, Labour Party Senatorial candidate for Anambra Central Senatorial Zone, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Ude, Commissioner for Education, Prof Kate Omenugha, Former Commissioner for Education, Hon. Obiefuna Ibuzo, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate for Onitsha Federal Constituency and currently a member of Anambra State House of Assembly, representing Onitsha II Constituency, among others.
