By Okechukwu Onuegbu
As Christians all over the world commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ otherwise referred to as Easter, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, Saturday, distributed several goods valued at about ₦10 million to some less privileged individuals in society.
The beneficiaries, numbering about 500, came from all parts of the world, including the Nigeriens living within Anambra and Enugu States, those from northern, western and South South parts of Nigeria, Moslems, African traditionalists, Catholic and Christians from other denominations of the Christendom.
The items presented to them by the prelate were clothing, hand bags, 300 tubers of yam, 100 bags of rice, 200 coconuts, 10 50k bags of garri, food flasks, transport fares, among others.
According to Ezeokafor, the gesture was a routine activities of the church within the diocese and they observe it every month but Easter own was specially dedicated towards making all celebrate Easter with them.
He said he was pained over the hike in prices of commodities in the market which according to him, had inflicted more pains on the populace, enjoined the wealthy individuals to remember the less privileged especially among them in this period of Esther celebration.
The prelate, however, charged the poor to remain hopeful and never deviate from their faith as a result of the poverty in the land because according to him, things would surely improve at God's appointed time.
"Easter is the period we reflect over 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 the society to assist people of this nature to celebrate Easter too," he noted.
Also speaking, the Director, Justice Development Caritas (JDPC), Rev. Fr. Levi Ndubuisi Ukor, thanked the Bishop for sustaining the programme since 16 years ago he became Bishop of the Diocese, thereby promoting love and humanity the church was known for.
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 asked God to bless and sustain him to impact more lives positively.