Christmas Outreach:Archbishop Okeke Feeds Inmates, Pushes Education, Skills Acquisition

By Polycarp Ifeanyi, Onitsha

The Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha, His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke, has charged inmates of the Onitsha Correctional Centre, Anambra State, to endeavour to judiciously utilize the skills acquisition programmes provided for them within the facility.
He reminded the inmates that the purpose of establishing and equipping skills acquisition centres within the prison yard was to ensure that each inmate learns at least one skill while serving their sentence, so as to become useful to themselves and society upon their release.
Archbishop Okeke gave the charge during his customary pastoral visit to the Correctional Centre, where he celebrated Christmas with the inmates.
He also encouraged them to embrace education as a tool for sustaining their future after regaining freedom, urging them to take advantage of the schools he established within the prison yard to obtain educational certificates.
“The essence of skills acquisition is for you to learn handwork while you are still serving here. Being here does not mean your life has ended. One day, you will regain your freedom and practise the skills you acquired here. The skills acquisition centre is well equipped for your benefit, so make good use of it,” Archbishop Okeke stated.
“You also have the opportunity to be educated here since schools are available within the yard. Therefore, be serious and focused so that you can become a changed person after serving your time in the Correctional Centre,” the Archbishop added.
In his homily, the Prelate emphasized the significance of the birth of Jesus Christ, whom he described as the Light of the World and the Redeemer of mankind. He preached that Jesus Christ is the light that shines in darkness and that darkness cannot overcome it.
He further reflected on the mystery of God manifested in the birth of Jesus Christ, noting that many wealthy people had anticipated becoming the parents of the Messiah following the prophecy of His birth, but God chose Joseph and Mary instead.
Archbishop Okeke also recalled how King Herod sought to kill the infant Jesus, but God sent His angel to warn Joseph and Mary, instructing them to whisk Jesus away from Herod’s wrath.
“When God is with you, nobody can kill you. God has the final say in everything. Nothing is impossible with God, and nobody can destroy what God has positioned,” the Archbishop said.
In his appreciation remarks, the Chaplain in charge of St. Maximilian Kolbe Chaplaincy, Onitsha Correctional Centre, Rev. Fr. Bartholomew Okpalaugo, thanked Archbishop Okeke immensely for his frequent visits to the inmates, noting that God has used him to transform the prison yard.
The cleric stated that Archbishop Okeke has facilitated numerous achievements aimed at improving the welfare of inmates, including the establishment of primary, post-primary, and Open University programmes within the Correctional Centre.
He further revealed that due to the standard of the Open University programme, the Onitsha Correctional Centre has become a recognized centre for its examinations.
Fr. Okpalaugo also expressed gratitude to the many priests, religious, and dignitaries who were present at the event.
Similarly, the Controller in charge of the Onitsha Correctional Centre, Mr. Anthony Eke, in his remarks, praised Archbishop Okeke for his generosity towards the inmates and the correctional facility in general.
Items donated to the inmates by Archbishop Okeke included Christmas cakes, laundry soaps, toilet soaps, assorted tissue papers, various types of biscuits, cooked rice, assorted toothpaste and toothbrushes, as well as one slaughtered cow.
Meanwhile, Archbishop Okeke expressed appreciation to the Ebubeogu family and Dr. and Mrs. Vera Nwadinobi for supporting the outreach with cows, as well as other individuals who contributed various items.